Horticultural attractions given funding boost

13:11:20 27th November 2009

Garden and greenhouse fans may be interested to hear that a number of the UK's green spaces are to receive significant investment.

Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund, £18 million in grants is to be poured into six parks across the country.

Under the Parks for People initiative, sites like Middlesbrough's Stewart Park will be given a revamp.

The birthplace of Captain Cook, Stewart Park first opened the gates to its 47-hectare grounds in 1928.

It will now use the £4.3 million in funding to carry out restoration of its lakes and create a new visitor centre.

Middlesbrough councillor Paul Thompson explained the work will allow the horticultural attractions to be enjoyed "for generations to come".

Other sites set to benefit include Southampton's St James' Park, Letchworth Garden City's Howard Park and Gardens and Spinney Hill Park in Leicester.

Bolton's Queens Park and Stamford Park in Tameside complete the list, with each receiving a significant amount of cash for improvements.

Meanwhile, the Royal Horticultural Society recently revealed that a study is to take place into why bees are becoming increasingly active in winter.