PLANS for a new park on Hereford's Aylestone Hill have moved a step closer.

The Aylestone Park Association, a group of residents and people with a special interest in the project, has been awarded a 'Living Spaces' grant of £100,000 to undertake preliminary works.

Herefordshire Council's parks, countryside and leisure development service, which works in partnership with the Aylestone Park Association, hopes the funding will accelerate the plans to create a new park in the city.

Plans for the site include the installation of various sports pitches, a large space for informal recreation along with a wildlife area and the restoration of the adjoining stretch of canal.

David Penny, Aylestone Park Association chairman, said: "We are very pleased to have been awarded this funding which will certainly help put this project into practice.

"Work will begin almost immediately with trees and shrubs being planted behind the houses in Wellbrook Close during National Tree Week.

"This will help to screen the houses from the proposed new sports area."

Canal

Other work planned for the near future includes the restoration of a stretch of canal. This is expected to begin in February or March and will involve dredging, vegetation clearance and wildlife habitat creation so that the canal not only becomes an important wildlife resource but will eventually be navigable.

For anyone who would like to be involved in the project, Saturday morning planting sessions are due to kick off in early December.

For information contact Fran White on 01432 260242 or e-mail fawhite @herefordshire .gov.uk