LOTTERY cash is to be used to create a "green oasis" close to Lancaster city centre.

In a bid to provide more public parkland in congested city centre areas, the Millennium Commission has given almost £40,000 to the city.

The money has been allocated to the Fairfield Association to create a community park and orchard next to Abraham Heights complete with fruit trees, a nature area and nesting boxes.

The two acre site is currently scrubland owned by Lancaster city council and rented out to a local farmer.

Prof Mick Short, Chairman of Fairfields Association, said: "We would like to thank the council for its support, including its agreement to lease the land for the project at a peppercorn rent to the Fairfield Millennium and Community Orchard trust, which is being set up to oversee and take responsibility for the Millennium Green."

He added: "If all goes to plan we hope to establish the green and orchard by the end of December, 1999, in time for the millennium celebrations. The orchard will consist of traditional fruit trees, apples, pears, plums, damsons and soft fruit bushes such as gooseberry, blackberry, black and red currant and tayberry. This area of the country was traditionally an important damson growing area and the apple trees will include the Lancaster Ladies Finger."

A part-time site manager will overlook the area and guided walks of the site are planned.

Chairman of the Millennium Commission, Chris Smith MP, said of the Fairfield project: "Open spaces play an important role in our communities and Lancaster's new green will be an excellent asset to the local area. We are making sure that National Lottery money is reaching a very local level by supporting projects that provide facilities for everyone in communities to enjoy."

The group now needs to raise an additional £25,000 to ensure the project goes ahead and if anyone can help call Prof Short on 63890.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.