FLEETWOOD'S Memorial Park could soon be set for a £500,000 facelift if a bid for lottery funding is approved.

An application for £375,000 is due to be put to the Heritage Lottery Fund's (HLF) urban parks programme and the bid was welcomed at a recent meeting of the Countryside, Leisure and Cultural Services Committee. If it proves successful, work could begin next summer.

The HLF urban parks programme aims to provide grants to restore and regenerate parks, gardens, town squares and garden cemeteries. Wyre Borough Council's land use consultants have spent the last few months producing a detailed plan of how the park could look in the future. Members of the public and local community groups have also been consulted about how they would like to see their park developed.

If successful, the lottery bid will provide up to 75 per cent of the costs. Additional funding will come from £30,000 given to the council by a local developer. Wyre Borough Council would provide the remaining cash and would also seek out sponsorship for the scheme. Among the proposed improvements are:

Upgrading the fencing, path, seats and security.

Setting up a Friends of the Park and Community Watch Scheme.

Publishing an events programme.

Various educational and recreational activities.

Councillor Sally Preston, chairman of the Countryside, Leisure and Cultural Services Committee, described the project as exciting and said; "It is great, despite being at a very early stage!

"Memorial park is an integral and important part of Fleetwood's community, heritage and culture but over the years it has suffered numerous attacks of vandalism and has been left to fall into disrepair.

"The benefits to be reaped from an injection of cash are enormous."