A COMMUNITY project to replace the Hindle Aviary in Bold Venture Park with a modern pergola has received thousands of pounds of government cash.

And the new feature, which is expected to be a focal point in the park, is due to be officially launched in April.

The Friends of Bold Venture Park, led by chairman Harry Duxbury, submitted a bid to the national Living Spaces scheme earlier this year for a new feature in the park and it has now been confirmed they will receive a grant of £23,500 for the project.

They had already received £5,000 from both the Lloyds Trust and Blackburn with Darwen Council which allowed the initial planning to go ahead and work to begin on the venture. Vice-chairman of the Friends group, Warren Chapman, today said: "This is the official confirmation that we have been allocated the money but work has already started and the metal pergola has been installed and looks good. It still needs painting and we are hoping this part of it will now be completed by the end of January.

"There is also the cobblestone mosaic which will be completed in time for the official opening on April 2.

"We are hoping to put some scented plants around the pergola in spring so that people sitting there can smell the flowers while enjoying the view.

"The pergola will be a lovely focal point for the park.

"It was sad when the Hindle Aviary had to be demolished so it's nice to be able to put something in its place."

The metal pergola replaces the original Hindle Aviary which was demolished in April after it became unsafe due to deterioration and vandalism.

In the park's heyday, the aviary was a popular attraction and housed a number of exotic birds but numbers began to decline and it fell into disrepair.

Lancashire artist Maggy Howarth has been commissioned to design the proposed cobblestone mosaic within the new paved area.

The Friends of Bold Venture Park worked with Capita to come up with the final design for the pergola, which will be made of metal posts and beams, with the posts rising from stone columns.

The cash came from the Living Spaces scheme which is managed by environmental charity Groundwork with support from Green Space.