THE opening of a Darlington park with a ceremonial key is being re-created tomorrow by its biggest fans.

Saturday, July 5, is exactly 100 years to the day since Coun Seymour Benson, chairman of the parks committee, performed the opening ceremony using what was said to be "a beautifully engraved key".

The Friends of North Lodge Park have invited the town's mayor, Coun Ron Lewis, to do the honours at the 12.30 start of their summer fete.

Yvonne Richardson, chairman of the Friends, said on Wednesday that an appeal had gone out to find a descendent of Mr Benson, but so far there had been no response.

"It is amazing how many people remember the park. There is huge interest in it - it is a little jewel."

The key which is being handed over to the mayor is not the original.

"We found it in a charity shop," said Ms Richardson. "It looks like pure brass and it must have come from a very old building."

During its heyday, the park had a pond, a fountain and boathouse and the crowds who thronged it in summer enjoyed music from the bandstand.

The decline started in 1932 when the pond was filled in and the fountain moved. The castellated 1820s' boathouse was demolished in 1955.

The fine bandstand was renovated in 1989, but it needs another £80,000 spending on it to restore it to its former glory.

The council has received a £265,000 National Lottery grant for the park to be used for improved lighting, security cameras, dog bins, floral displays and a disabled access play area.