A BID is being launched to restore a once premier park to its former glory.

An application is being made to Heritage Lottery for a £1.4m grant to begin restoration work on Middlesbrough's Stewart Park.

The money would be spent on renovating the park's historic buildings, which include grade-I listed estate buildings, landscape and other renovation projects and the creation of a winter garden.

There are 400,000 visits a year to the park, which is the home of the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum, containing artefacts and relics from the voyages of Captain James Cook, born in Marton, Middlesbrough.

A winter garden would house plants discovered by Sir Joseph Banks who accompanied the explorer.

An upgrade of the museum, which features interactive displays, would be high on the spending agenda should the Lottery bid be successful.

Councillor Pervaz Khan, a member of Middlesbrough Council's executive, said: "Stewart Park is part of the town's living history. It is a valued local landmark and, through the museum and its links with Captain Cook, attracts visitors from across the world.

"These plans will preserve it for future generations of residents and visitors to enjoy and create additional attractions. We'll also be exploring the possibility of establishing a training base at the park, where young people could learn traditional horticultural, conservation and building skills."

The council's bid for funding from the Parks for People Lottery fund was launched yesterday by a figure from the town's past.

Victorian magnate Henry Bolckow, alias museums curator Ian Stubbs, symbolically left the park in a horse-drawn carriage as the bid made the first leg of its journey to the Lottery fund headquarters.

It was Bolckow - Middlesbrough's first mayor - who created the park landscape.

Councillor Tom Mawston, who is chairman of the Stewart Park Friends Group, said: "This application is long-awaited and the whole community are very hopeful of seeing some great improvements in the park.'