Park lovers are wanted to help play a leading role in bidding for lottery cash to spruce up the grounds of a Victorian mansion.

A “friends of” group is to be started to kickstart the project to make major improvements to Cliffe Castle park in Keighley.

They will help draw up a ‘wish-list’ of new amenities and work towards winning heritage lottery cash to help pay for the project.

Plans to revive the park were first reported four years ago when it was estimated the cost could be in the region of £4 million.

The work could see action to repair walls, paths and revive greenery but also more adventurous aims such as restoring the fountains and even reinstating the pond. Other possibilities are extensions to the playground, an animal area and greenhouses and restoration of caves and bandstand.

The proposal follows similar restoration projects in Bradford using lottery cash.

In 2001, Lister Park in Manningham, Bradford, received £4 million for improvements including a playground, boating lake, bowling pavilion and Mughal garden, and Roberts Park in Saltaire has received £3 million towards its major restoration.

The new friends group will be started at Beechcliffe and Utley Neighbourhood Forum tomorrow at 7pm at St Mark’s Church, Green Head Road, Keighley.

There are 16 ‘friends of’ groups in the Bradford district which work with Bradford Council’s leisure services staff to help manage the woodland, parks and open spaces.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: “Some groups have gone on to hold events, make successful funding applications and produce their own websites.

“One of the functions of the new group will be to support the feasibility study into a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore Cliffe Castle Park.

Councillor Anne Hawkes-worth, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment and culture, said: “The ‘friends of’ groups make a positive contribution to our parks and green spaces and give local communities the chance to be involved in their local area.”