THE gradual re-awakening of a "sleeping beauty" has been mapped out in a leaflet.

Hardwick Park, near Sedgefield, has survived as a landscape garden of the 1750s, but its original layout has partially disappeared under a tangle of undergrowth.

Durham County Council has applied for a £4.69m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the restoration of the parkland to its Georgian glory over the next ten years.

A decision on the grant is expected in the spring.

The leaflet, 30,000 copies of which are available in libraries, tourist information centres and visitor attractions, details work already carried out and what is planned this year and up to 2004.

Leader of the council, Councillor Ken Manton, said: "Hardwick Park has been a sleeping beauty for over a century.

"We hope, with the help of the HLF grant, gradually to rouse it from its slumbers so that once again visitors can see it in all its splendour and it can receive the national acclaim it richly deserves."

Already, the avenue of trees in the East Park has been replanted, some scrub has been removed and Ramside Estates has added two wings to Hardwick Hall Hotel.

Archaeological investigations will be carried out this year, with the removal of invasive vegetation to open up the original vistas.

Next year it is planned to rebuild the dam, refill the lake and construct a car park.

In 2004, it is hoped to rebuild the Temple of Minerva and gothic seat, and reinstate the grand terrace and circuit walk.

The Friends of Hardwick hope to reinstate the statue of Neptune, clear the ha-has and rebuild the rustic seat.