Park's £200,000 funding boost

Work started on creating better lighting and removing trees in Walverden Park in Nelson on Monday as part of a three month long improvement scheme.

The money has been allocated from Pendle Council funds after it decided with the Friends of Walverden Park that the area was in desperate need of improvement.

The aim of the work is to improve safety, attract more visitors and encourage more wildlife into the park.

Improvements include making the entrance to the park more friendly for pram users, removing old trees and improving drainage facilities of the recreation area which is currently underused because it is very wet.

The grass on the old terraced area off Brunswick Street is being levelled out and a gentle sloping path will be added for wheelchair users.

Work to the park had previously been carried out in December. This included the removal of dead, diseased and dangerous trees and pruning to allow sunlight to get through.

Colin Patten, the parks manager, said: "The Council and the Friends Group are working together to redevelop and reinvigorate the park.

"Our goal is to create a more usable and accessible park which is suitable for everyone in the community."

The multi-use games area and children's playground will be closed while the work's being done but will be reopened when it has been completed.

The playground and the ball courts will also be fenced off and inaccessible to visitors.

Mr Patten added: "We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause while we are making the park safer and more accessible for everyone."

Walverden councillor George Adam has welcomed the alterations to the park.

He said: "The work to the park is a welcome boost to the area. Over the years the park has become overgrown and dark, it will hopefully make it lighter and a friendlier place to be.

"Work has been carried out in the park before but never on this scale.

"Hopefully people in the area will appreciate the work carried out and will come and enjoy the park."