ONE hundred and ten years on, an East Lancashire park has a new sense of purpose.

And a celebration of the relaunch of Rhyddings Park, in Oswaldtwistle, managed to touch upon its illustrious past and vibrant future.

The go-ahead Friends of Rhyddings Park group and Newground, with National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) backing, has transformed the rundown coach house into a thriving cafe hub and kitchen garden.

Perhaps fittingly, their combined achievements have been recognised as part of a ceremony officially opened by the new Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr June Harrison, to coincide with the 110th anniversary of the park's first unveiling.

Ann Warrington, friends group chair, said: "The level of support we have received from the local community, since our unofficial opening last August, has been absolutely amazing."

Not only has the cafe been ticking over but the venue is now home to everything from yoga to wizarding workshops.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council, said the project had "breathed new life into a much-loved historic park, which is entering into an exciting new era".

Tiffany Hunt, of the NLHF, added: "This has been a very strong partnership project."

Peter Jones, from Newground, said the building was "in a very poor state" five or six years ago but was now flourishing.

Andrew Hayhurst, the council's senior parks development officer, had also been contacted by Paul Hargreaves, great-grandson of Arthur Hargreaves, who lobbied for the haven's creation in 1909.

He loaned the engraved park gates key, used by the Oswaldwistle Urban District councillor more than a century ago, for the occasion.

Today a three-week community dig, led by Salford Archaeology, to investigate whether any remains from the original hall survive, officially kicks off.

The original villa, which came with its own folly, a conservatory, vinery and greenhouses, and dated back to 1853, was erected by local industrialist Robert Watson.