SALTERFORTH Park could be redeveloped within the year after £4,500 of funding was allocated to it by Pendle Council.

The bid for assistance was made by Salterforth Parish Council as the park had not been refurbished for around 13 years.

Much of the equipment is in desperate need of repair and replacement so members of the West Craven Committee agreed to assign the remaining sum of the committee's Capital Programme to the one item on the condition that work started this year.

Other bids for the cash included a scheme for disabled toilets in Sough Park and a bid for £2,500 for bridleway improvements at Booth Bridge in Earby.

Salterforth Park, which is the responsibility of the parish council, was last updated through contributions from Pendle Council, the parish council and Silentnight Holdings 13 years ago.

The climbing frame has now been removed, the slide is coming towards the end of its serviceable life and the swings are also in need of repair.

The park is popular during the summer months and also plays host to the annual fun day which attracts a large number of visitors.

Older children in the area began fundraising for additional equipment for their age group last year as the Salterforth Kids for Improvement group. They have collected around £1,000 and the Friends of Salterforth group also had a fund of £1,000 towards the scheme. Kath Haydock, whose son Michael is in the Salterforth Kids for Improvement group, said: "They are very pleased to have received the money. It is a much used facility especially and plays host to the village's fun day.."

Councillor Margaret Bell, chairman of the West Craven Committee, said that the money was granted as it was important to maintain the park.

A meeting between local councillors, the parish council and Salterforth KPI has also been held to discuss the proposals and other possible sources of funding, such as the Lottery Community Fund, Rural Priority Area funding, Pendle Community Network and local businesses.