A BID to return an historic park to its former glory is set to take a big step forward.

Burnley Council's executive is expected to approve plans to draw up proposals which could lead to £1million of lottery cash to restore Memorial Park.

The historic park is one of the borough's six heritage parks but has suffered years of neglect.

Many of the park's facilities are in a poor state of repair and council bosses feared its Green Flag status could be lost unless there was significant investment.

Now the authority has put together an application for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to revamp the park.

Coun Roger Frost, executive member for leisure, said: "We have to do this for Padiham.

"This would transform Padiham and would be the kind of investment Padiham deserves."

A total of £90million is up for grabs over the next four years with grants of between £250,000 to £5million for individual projects.

HLF has given a grant of £40,000 to the council for a restoration plan to be drawn up and that will then be submitted for further funding.

The plan would be drawn up by park restoration specialists in consultation with Padiham Town Council, the Friends of Memorial Park and residents.

Facilities such as the toilets, play areas, paths and bandstand would be restored.

Memorial Park was designed by Lancashire landscape designer Thomas Mawson, who gained an international reputation in the early 20th Century and designed Rydal Hall near Ambleside and Graythwaite Gardens at Newby Bridge.

The plans will be discussed at a meeting of Burnley Council's Executive Committee next week.