A SIX-year wait to get the go-ahead to restore Sutton Park is finally over.

Project co-ordinator Coun Barbara Smith announced this week that the go ahead had finally been given by the Heritage Lottery Fund and work could start as soon as September.

A £110,000 lottery grant was awarded in November last year by the Heritage Lottery Fund but certain requirements had to be met, including disabled access, before the work could start.

Coun Smith said: "The project will improve the entrances so that access will be much easier and better for everybody."

Another requirement was employing a project manager, and the group is hoping to appoint such a person by September 3.

It will then be full steam ahead on the project, which will restore the park to its Edwardian glory. If all goes well, the park should be completed within 18 months.

However there is still a need for help with the project.

The parish council is asking people to sponsor one of 20 seats in the park at a cost of about £200 each. The seats will be specially made to an Edwardian design.

The restoration committee also needs help with the building projects. It is looking for people with knowledge and expertise of this type of work and anyone wishing to donate material or money to the work.

Coun Smith has been the driving force behind the restoration project since parish councillors were told the park was in a bad state of repair and needed thousands of pounds spending on it.

She said: "It has taken a long time getting to this stage, and has been depressing at times. Sometimes it's felt like we have taken one step forward only to take two steps back."

The small restoration committee, which includes members of the bowling club, the village committee and conservation group, has spent the past six years gathering information and preparing its lottery bid.

The park was opened in July 1912, and was left in trust to future generations in Sutton. It still retains many of its original features, such as iron railings, benches and shelters.

The restoration project involves looking at each aspect of the park and rebuilding it, reconstructing or revamping it.

The scheme includes replacing the wooden parts of the park pavilion with stone, and re-roofing it to match the existing shelters; installing central heating and disabled toilets; repairing the shelters and replacing damaged woodwork and windows; repairing paths, steps, gates and railings; resealing the park's boating lake and restoring 20 benches and replacing litter bins.

South Craven pupil Leonie Stretch has planted a scented garden and the school has offered its assistance on similar projects.