A PARK in Darlington has been awarded £878,500 of lottery funding.

Brinkburn Dene - better known as the Denes - will be given a full revamp, including new bridges, seats, information signs and lighting.

The entrances will be improved to draw people in, and annual programmes of events will be devised for schools, nurseries and community groups.

Events which the Friends of the Denes have organised, including fun days, teddy bears' picnic and a carol service, will be expanded.

Work to encourage a greater variety of wildlife will be carried out and people will be invited to volunteer to help revitalise the park. There will be training opportunities for young people.

A total of £878,500 was awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund.

The Denes was established in the 1920s, when various pieces of land donated by the Pease family were pieced together.

It started out as Cockerton Valley Gardens.

The Peases were Quaker philanthropists involved in coal, manufacturing and the founding of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

Robert George, head of parks and countryside at Darlington Borough Council, said the Friends had worked hard with the council for three years to improve the park.

He said: "The transformation that will now take place will let people know that we all really care for this extremely valuable part of Darlington's green heritage."

Coun Stephen Harker, chairman of the Friends' group, was "over the moon" to receive the grant.

He said: "We are very lucky to have the Denes on our doorstep and this money will ensure even more people can enjoy the park."

James Turner, Big Lottery Fund's head of the North-East region, said: "Green spaces on our doorsteps, where people of all ages can relax, play and get involved with community events, have never been more important.

"The improvements to be made to Brinkburn Dene will be invaluable and we are delighted to be a part of it."