WORK to restore Towneley Park's 300-year-old pond has fallen behind schedule due to bad weather and the need to make unexpected repairs.

The work, part of a multi-million pound scheme to restore the park, was due to be completed by the end of December, but is now likely to take another month.

A Burnley council spokesman said: "Work continues on the restoration of the pond in front of Towneley Hall as part of the wider £3.2 million restoration programme for Towneley Park.

"The wall repairs were more extensive than initially anticipated, particularly the length of wall adjacent to the hall lawn where soil creep had caused it to bulge.

"Areas of the wall and foundations required rebuilding, work which did not become apparent until the pond was drained and silting removed.

"Poor weather, including freezing conditions before Christmas, also caused a delay."

Work on the pond will resume on Monday and is expected to be completed in around a month.

Representatives from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which contributed £2 million towards the overall restoration programme, have visited the park, council bosses said, and have given the project a big "thumbs up".

The overall programme is being funded by Burnley Council, which owns and manages the hall and park, the Heritage Lottery Fund and other partners.

Historic features, such as the ornamental gardens, are also to be restored under the enhancement plans, and visitor facilities improved.

There will also be a refurbished playground, better signs, improved car parking and footpaths and access will also be boosted by improved bus services.

Civic leaders say that the restoration plans mean that the heritage gem can continue to provide enjoyment for generations to come.