Parks and gardens handed lottery cash

13:48 27th November 2009

A string of park and garden attractions around the country are to benefit from a cash injection thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund.

A total of £18 million will be spent restoring six parks, with £4.3 million going towards Middlesbrough's Stewart Park.

First opened in 1928, the 47-hectare horticultural site is renowned as being the birthplace of Captain Cook, who is credited with making the first European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia.

The park will spend its grant on restoration and cleaning projects, with work planned for its lakes and historical buildings, as well as the creation of a new visitor centre.

It will allow the site to be used and enjoyed for generations, local councillor Paul Thompson explained.

Sites in Bolton, Tameside, Leicester, Letchworth Garden City and Southampton will also benefit from investment.

Meanwhile, the Royal Horticultural Society recently revealed that a study is to be launched into which plants are best for attracting insects to the garden.