COUNCIL chiefs are crossing their fingers and hoping to get lucky with a bid for lottery cash to improve parks in Blackburn and Darwen.

The Heritage Lottery Fund is giving priority to urban parks programmes over the next three years and the council is keen to take advantage.

Projects could include landscape improvements, the repair of historic landmarks or buildings, repair of gates and railings, long term planting schemes and work designed to interpret the history of local parks.

Schemes involving playing fields or sports grounds are unlikely to be considered.

"We are determined to secure this lottery money so we can move ahead with our plans to carry our a variety of schemes aimed at opening up our urban open spaces," said Coun Kathy Ramsden, vice-chairman of the community and leisure services committee.

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