AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled to celebrate the centenary of the historic Marsden Park in Nelson.

If proposals outlined by the Friends of Marsden Park reach fruition, the venue will be taken back to Edwardian times.

Alison Plackett, friends chairman, said: “The idea is to take us back to 1912, when Marsden Park was first created.”

Once home to the Walton family of cotton magnates, the park and Marsden Hall can trace their roots back to the 14th century, when land was granted to their forebears by the Duke of Lancaster.

Descendants of the Waltons sold the hall and grounds to the former Nelson Corporation, for around £6,000.

The Young Friends of Marsden Park will be working to create a wildlife area as part of the £12,000 centenary programme.

Long-standing sports which have been played in the park over the last 100 years, including football, tennis and crown-green bowling, will also be showcased.

Proposals for several new guided walks around the parkland are also being drawn up by the volunteers.

And a fun day will feature traditional Edwardian pastimes, in association with Walton Lane Children’s Centre, a magic show, street dancers and traditional stalls.

Coun Mohammed Iqbal said the Nelson area committee would look ‘favourably’ on funding the park’s celebrations once their new budget is released next April.

The park has benefitted from a £1.8million renovations supported by the National Lottery over the past seven years.