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A MAJOR revamp has been announced for a much-loved park after transformation plans received a 280,000 grant.

The money for Stewart Park, Middlesbrough, has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Funds 160m Parks for People initiative.

About 400,000 people visit the park every year and major improvements are to be carried out to its lakes, paths and woodland.

Middlesbroughs deputy mayor Coun Bob Kerr said: We also want to open up to the public many of our Victorian estate buildings from the former Marton Hall, including new public events areas.

The buildings are architecturally quite stunning and we aim to make them a real visitor attraction within the refurbished park. Thanks to investment from the lottery, we can now go ahead and develop these innovative plans further.

Dr Keith Bartlett, head of Heritage Lottery Fund North-East, said: Were delighted that Middlesbrough has been given the green light to develop their exciting plans. Lottery money has already played a vital role in the renaissance of the UKs parks for more than a decade, but there is much more to be done.

This scheme is designed to get the local community really involved and to ensure a much-improved environment and standard of living for all those who use the park.

Head of the Big Lottery Fund North-East region, James Turner, added: This funding is a tremendous starting point for the councils plans to turn Stewart Park into a community space that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Middlesbrough Borough Council parks and countryside manager, Jim Moody, said: This is the parks 80th birthday and the announcement will really add some fizz to the celebrations. We can now start to develop our plans in detail, which will be the next stage in realising our ambitious vision for the future of the park.

Coun Tom Mawston, who is chairman of the Friends of Stewart Park support group, said: We have been closely involved in the lottery bid so far and look forward to working with the council and other partners to ensure that this wonderful park is brought back to its former glory.

10:28am Friday 9th May 2008

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