A £1MILLION bid for cash to transform Hyndburn's parks has been launched by the council.

The local authority wants to see the 11 parks in the area used to host free public events as well as introducing three countryside rangers.

Lottery cash would be used to refurbish the derelict former stables building in Haworth Park, Accrington, and it is hoped to appoint a community events co-ordinator to promote projects at the parks.

Now councillors are calling on Hyndburn residents to help support them in their funding bid.

Coun Lynn Wilson, who has responsibility for parks and open spaces, said: "This is a momentous time for Hyndburn parks and now we need local people to have their say about how the parks should develop.

"We want to know what they like or hate about our parks and the kinds of events they'd like to see in them."

The council is going for an initial £500,000 grant but there are hopes the figure can be more than doubled with the involvement of community groups making their own bids for match-funding.

Coun Wilson added: "If we are successful in this bid, it could mean that an extra funding would be unlocked for Hyndburn in further bids and that local people can try out new activities in our parks for free."

Tony Hindley, chairman of the Friends of Oak Hill Park in Accrington, backed the Lottery bid.

He said: "The park rangers idea is something that would be welcomed and if they can stop vandalism and anti-social behaviour they could save us a lot of money."

A questionnaire is being circulated in the borough asking what people would like to see in the parks and local community groups are being urged to send a letter of support for the bid to the council.

One of the council's main objectives is to employ three countryside rangers who would have enforcement powers to reduce dog fouling and litter in open spaces and clamp down on anti-social behaviour.

Accrington and Rossendale College is also involved in the project. The horticulture department hopes to use the facilities at the refurbished stables in Haworth Park.

The council's funding bid has been made to the Big Lottery Enhancing Communities fund and a decision is expected to be made in four months time.

The parks are: Bullough Park, Haworth Park, Oak Hill Park, Peel Park (and Coppice) all Accrington. Gatty Park and Milnshaw Park, Church, Mercer Park, Clayton-le-Moors, Memorial Park and Lowerfold Park, Great Harwood, Rhyddings Park in Oswaldtwistle and Cut Wood Park, Rishton.