THE avenue leading to Burnley's jewel in the crown' Towneley Hall is to be refurbished as part of an ongoing £3.2m restoration programme.

The main avenue, one of the oldest features of the park, runs in a straight line between Towneley Hall and the River Calder and features on a 1735 plan of the area. The oldest trees are around 200 years old.

A survey carried out as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund-backed restoration programme identified 36 trees that require removal and replacement, water-logging problems that need sorting out and gaps in the avenue that need replanting.

The 36 felled trees will be replaced by the planting of 76 new trees.

Ahead of that work an event is being held at the park next Thursday called "Towneley's Avenues Past, Present and Future".

The event is being organised by Burnley Council's Green Space and Amenities staff. The council owns and manages both Towneley Park and Towneley Hall.

Organisers are keen for the public to go along to find out more about the avenues, and share with others their knowledge and bring along any photos they have, not only of the main avenue of trees but other avenues in the park.

The event is free and starts at 4pm and will be held in Towneley Hall.

Coun Roger Frost, the council's executive member for culture and leisure, said: "This is a chance to come along and find out more about the history of one of Burnley's best-loved landmarks."