MORE than £25,000 has been given to Blackburn parks for new projects.

Corporation Park’s friends group was awarded £17,700 for new outdoor gym equipment to be installed and The Friends of Roe Lee Park have been handed £8,000 for a ‘East meets West’ project by The Big Lottery Fund.

At Corporation Park, 12 items of equipment, including step machines and asymmetrical bar, will be installed on December 8.

The equipment and other cardio equipment have been funded by money from landfill companies are required to pay for community projects as a result of their business.

It is hoped the equipment, off the Broadwalk where the tennis court used to be, will be in place for the park’s Christmas event on Sunday, December 11, from noon until 3pm.

Other attractions on the day will include carols with Blackburn People’s Choir, face painting and Christmas crafts.

The event will be preceded by the park’s 5K Santa Dash at 11am.

Jason Walker, chairman of The Friends of Roe Lee Park management committee, said the funds would allow them to continue with their popular seasonal event.

He said: “This award is fantastic news for the park and the area.

“It will enable the group to continue to organise community events and projects in the park for the next 12 months.

“Our summer community day saw thousands attend and we had universally good feedback and we are going to celebrate the news of this funding at our next event which is the Roe Lee Park Winter Wonderland.

“The funding will go towards volunteer training, attractions, tools, equipment and day to day operations.”

That event is at the park on Saturday, December 3, from noon until 4pm.

The Friends of Roe Lee Park is a voluntary community group which relies on funding and grants to carry on organising events.

The Big Lottery Fund awards grants from £300 to groups.