SECURITY at South Park, in Darlington, is to be improved in a £500,000 project.

Darlington Borough Council officials are to invest the money in restoring railings and gateways in an effort to prevent vandalism.

The move is part of a £3.9m scheme to restore the park to its former Victorian splendour, following criticism from local people about its derelict state.

The work is expected to take up to 18 months to complete. Railings and gates that can be enhanced will be taken away for restoration work and returned to the park.

Where railings and gates are missing, or in a poor state of repair, new ones will be made, working closely to the original designs.

Councillor Eleanor Lister, the authority's spokeswoman for leisure issues, said: "The work on the railings will be for many people the first visible sign of the restoration work.

"The railings were installed more than 150 years ago and we will be making every effort to ensure that the originals are carefully restored and new ones made that are as ornate and decorative as they would have been in Victorian times.

"The gates and railing will also be essential to park security when the restoration project is completed."

More closed-circuit television cameras are also expected to be installed as part of the security programme.

Work is already under way with English Heritage to carry out a 20-week maintenance programme on the park's 1,200 trees.

Dead or diseased trees are being removed and a programme of replanting is under way to restore the park.

But the scheme has come under attack from some residents who are angry about the cutting down of the trees.

Further plans include the appointment of a park manager and a park ranger.

The restoration work will also include the bandstand and terracotta fountain. Other work will involve refurbishing the lake, creating a sensory garden, improving public access, building educational facilities and restoring the cafe.