A GENEROUS benefactor has anonymously given £50,000 to help fund the restoration of Darlington's South Park.

The money means work on the Victorian park can start next month.

The surprise donation was sent to the County Durham Foundation with instructions that it should be used to fund the project to return the park to its original splendour.

Gillian Stacey, director of the County Durham Foundation, said: "We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our donor, who wishes to ensure that the legacy of his support benefits the people of Darlington for the next 100 years."

A National Lottery grant of £2.9m was awarded to Darlington Borough Council earlier this year to fund extensive work on the public park.

The council then boosted the fund to £3.9m, to ensure the whole area can be properly rejuvenated.

Visitors and residents in the South Park area had complained that it had been left to fall into ruin in recent years, with few measures taken to stop vandalism.

But included in the far-reaching plans to renovate the area is the installation of closed-circuit television monitoring to prevent the redeveloped park being targeted by hooligans.

Other ideas include restoring the bandstand, installing a terracotta fountain and improving the park's centrepiece lake.

Work will also be carried out to create a sensory garden in the park so those with disabilities can enjoy the area.

The grant will also allow the park to become easily accessible by the disabled for the first time with ramps and other aids built into the design.

Councillor Dorothy Long, of Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for leisure services, will be presented with a cheque for the anonymous donation tonight at the annual firework display in the park.

She said: "We are delighted that the work on South Park is due to commence shortly as the people of Darlington are especially fond of the park.

"We would like to extend our thanks to the County Durham Foundation for their generosity in helping restore the park to its former glory, which will give pleasure for many years to come."

The work to restore the park is expected to last for 18 months.