A TOWN park is to have a £1.4m facelift thanks to a National Lottery grant.

Derwentside District Council has received £977,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund in order to restore the Victorian Consett Park.

The remainder of the costs will be met by taxpayers, with a small amount coming from Consett regeneration group Project Genesis and Groundwork West Durham.

The money will be used to restore the park's original features, including the ornate bandstand, water fountain, wishing stone and outdoor theatre.

The council also plans to employ a park keeper and reinstate tree, shrub and flower species, as well as using the facility for an increased number of events and activities.

The council has been criticised in recent years for cutting back on the number of parks.

The council has closed 11 parks since 1999, despite a 7,000-strong petition and opposition from a number of schools.

Also planned at Consett Park, which was created in 1891 and given to the town by Consett Iron Works, is the installation of £60,000-worth of play equipment.

Consett Bowls Club, which is located within the park boundary, is considering developing a junior bowls league to encourage youngsters to use the park.

Local landscape architect firm, Southern Green Partnership, has designed the restoration work.

The project is expected to start in the autumn, and the re-opening is planned next summer.

Deputy council leader and ward councillor Michael Malone welcomed the news.

He said: "Derwentside would like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund for giving us the chance to invest in this exciting project. It will benefit the district from a heritage, economic regeneration and leisure point of view."

Ward councillor John Davies said the appointment of a park keeper would give visitors more confidence in using the park.

Heritage Lottery Fund regional manager for the North-East Tim Wilson said: "Our work with urban parks during the past few years has proven that restoration projects such as these can help to regenerate the local area.

"They also provide a more useful and pleasant space for people and visitors to enjoy.

"Open spaces promote good health and, in this instance, active participation by the local community in the park's future."