BOWLERS will have to wait another year before getting a replacement pavilion for the one destroyed by arsonists.

Lottery cash which will be used to restore Blackburn's Corporation Park is not expected to be officially made available until next February at the earliest.

Meanwhile bowlers who have to use a portable building for another at least 12 months.

Councillors have given permission for the temporary building to remain in place for another year after being told that the funds earmarked for building a new pavilion had not been made available as quickly as expected.

Last year, the council announced it had been successful in securing £2.25million of Heritage Lottery cash to restore the Victorian park to its former glory.

But the council today revealed that Lottery bosses want to see detailed plans of the project before handing over the cash and that their final decision will be made next April.

Improvements to the park under the Heritage Lottery scheme include installing a new playground and improvements to the Italian gardens, Garden of Remembrance, gateway, lakes, fountains, drainage, paths/roads, conservatory and boundary walls.

The conservatory will be a focal point in the newly revamped park. Like the pavilion burnt down two years ago, the conservatory has been vandalised on a regular basis as wreckers manage to dodge police patrols and CCTV surveillance to get into the park at night.

Coun Kate Hollern, executive member for leisure at the council, said that some of the lottery money was expected to be used for the new pavilion.

She added that the authority wanted to consult users of the park on what form the new pavilion should take.

Instead of being solely for use by the bowlers, it might also be for people using the park's tennis courts.

Coun Hollern said: "The council, in partnership with the Civic Society and Corporation Park Supporters' Group, is applying for Heritage Lottery Funding to carry out restoration work to Corporation Park.

"If the application is successful, some of the money could be used to build a permanent bowls pavilion.

"We are eager to obtain the views of a cross section of park users in a bid to ensure that we get it right."

At the meeting of the planning and highways committee, councillors approved the extension of planning permission for the temporary bowling pavilion for another 12 months.

However, they expressed concern about the delay in getting a permanent new building.

A report to the committee said it had taken longer to obtain funding for the pavilion than first expected, but that money should be in place by next year.

Anyone interested in completing a questionnaire about the restoration work should contact Russell Critchley on 01254 682525.

Alternatively they can write to: The Parks and Open Spaces Manager, West Park Lodge, Corporation Park, Blackburn. BB2 2DG.