DETAILED plans to put the heart back into a popular Hyndburn park - including a new outdoor theatre - have been submitted as part of a £m Lottery bid.

If successful, work could start on rejuvenating Rhyddings Park in Oswaldtwistle, as early as next spring.

The £495,000 bid, called Putting the Heart Back into the Park, has been drawn up by Hyndburn Council officers and Groundwork East Lancashire.

Ambitious proposals, for an outdoor theatre and duck pond, are incorporated in the new scheme. It also includes upgrading the Coach House as a community base, suitable for a children's playgroup, relocating the blaze-hit bowls pavilion to a less isolated position and refurbishing the tennis courts.

A basketball and kickabout area has also been earmarked on the plan.

The bid has been developed from months of work and consultation with the youth service, police and the public.

A voluntary group, The Friends of Rhyddings Park, has also been involved in gathering ideas.

A spokesman for the group said: "The enthusiasm the scheme has already generated is a testimony to the will of local people to get involved for the benefit of the whole community."

Councillor Ian Ormerod, leisure services committee chairman, said: "Rhyddings Park has suffered its fair share of vandalism.

"National Lottery cash would make a big impact and will represent excellent value for money for the council."

Police Superintendent Malcolm Rawcliffe said: "We are very pleased to support this project, which tackles crime in a positive way. Providing facilities people want will always help to reduce anti-social behaviour and vandalism."

A decision on the bid is expected in March next year and if it is approved work will start on the park in April, for completion in July 1999.

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