PLANS to redevelop the grounds of a top East Lancashire art gallery at a cost of £120,000 have been announced.

Bosses hope the work will encourage more people to visit the Haworth Art Gallery in Baxenden.

Yvonne Robins, from the gallery, said the plans were ‘very exciting’ and heralded a new era for the site.

The work will see a formal garden put in place as well as a raised area that could host live musical performances and shows as well as a new rose garden and a sensory garden.

She said a new ‘action group’ has been formed to drive through the plans.

Rumours that the gallery, which is owned by Hyndburn Council, could have been sold off in the past decade have been dismissed.

And bosses said that the new development scheme aimed to show the importance of the gallery and secure its future.

Yvonne said: “We want to improve facilities for the people of Accrington as well as providing learning spaces for local schools to attract more visitors to the gallery and its grounds.

“The initial plan is for the formal garden area to the left side of the gallery.

Presently it consists of a large, usually wet, grass area, an old rose garden and small picnic space.

The plan is to erect wrought iron fencing and gates, following the original style of the house, to seal the area at night and prevent vandalism.

“We also want to add drainage to the large grass area and use the excess soil to create a raised stage for outdoor concerts and plays.

“In addition we want to create a new rose garden in the old picnic area and turn the old rose garden into a sensory Elizabethan Knot Garden.”