PLANS to create a £1.3million woodland tribute to the ring of oak trees which gave Accrington its name have been announced.

Environmental charity the Prospects Foundation, along with Hyndburn Council, are bidding for lottery funding to create the large-scale project.

Prospects initially came up with the idea of creating a "ring of oaks" somewhere in the centre of Accrington last year.

But now the council, along with Lancashire County Council's Remade initiative, have announced a much larger plan for extensive tree planting and park improvements to the parks which encircle Hyndburn.

It is thought that Accrington got its name because it was once surrounded by old oak woods and the name is derived from the phrase acorn-ring-town.

Coun Lynn Wilson said: "Ring of Oaks is the overall theme and relates to the origins of the name of Accrington. We hope the plans will generate powerful community interest and increase involvement in the woodland heritage of the area.

"A significant funding bid is being prepared for a woodland heritage programme.

"In Hyndburn we will seek to attract funding to seven parks and open spaces, to support tree management, access improvements and heritage interpretation. There will also be community, education and training opportunities."

Prospects development manager Ellie Taylor said: "It is early days for the project but it is one that we are very keen to see created.

"I think it will be a really popular idea in the area and people will feel a real ownership of the site because of the connotations of the name Accrington."

The council-owned parks involved are Oakhill Park, Haworth Park, Bullough Park, Milnshaw Park, Peel Park/Coppice, all Accrington as well as Woodnook Vale in Baxenden and Foxhill Bank and White Ash Valley in Oswaldtwistle.

Detailed proposals for each park have not yet been developed, but each site is expected to include tree and woodland management and planting. Access improvements and signage together with community activities.

The cost of the Hyndburn proposals is around £1,275,000 with £800,000 being requested from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Around £317,000 is expected to come from the Remade programme and £23,000 from existing staff resources from Hyndburn Council.