INGLETON'S Central Gardens and fountain area are to be transformed in a £34,000 facelift.

The project is being carried out by Ingleton Parish Council in association with Ingleton 2000, Ingleton Rural Community Association and the Ingleton Tradespeople's Association.

The gardens, on Main Street, will be refurbished, the fountain repaired and the seating area replaced. New surfacing will also go down.

The Clapham-based Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust is funding half the cost of the project.

Sue Manson, of the trust, said: "The proposals for the garden refurbishment have been drawn up through extensive consultation among the groups representing the local people.

"They involve the replacement of the concrete paving with stone surfacing, rejuvenation of the planting in the gardens, provision of new seats and bins and the creation of a link between the gardens and the fountain area. It is hoped to create a new gate to mark the entrance to the garden in the future."

The fountain is a memorial to Joseph Carr, a prominent local figure who introduced a sewerage system to the village, a new water supply and a new school in the 19th century. It was erected in 1900.

The plans are currently with Craven District Council for planning approval and will be available for everyone to view at Ingleton library.

Besides the Millennium Trust, funding is coming from Craven District Council and the Leader II scheme.

Sue added: "The trust is extremely pleased to be associated with this community project where so many local groups have come together to make these projects happen which will contribute to the rejuvenation of the centre of Ingleton."

Chairman of Ingleton Parish Council Carl Lis added: "I am really pleased with this scheme. We are going to make it much more attractive and more open there."

Other projects in the village include new flowerbeds to brighten up the entrance to Ingleton funded by Ingleton 2000, the Tradespeople's Association, Ingleton Rural Community Association and the Ingleton Scenery Company.