Plans have been drawn up to transform a scruffy area of Thornton into a Millennium Park.

The idea was sparked by Bronte expert Barbara Whitehead who wants to see the neglected site behind the Black Horse pub given a facelift.

Now Bradford Council has produced a scheme to carry out radical improvements to the land, which has fine views over the valley towards Clayton and Queensbury.

The project, which would cost about £20,000 to complete, would include:

l tree planting;

l remedial work to tidy up existing trees;

l removal of existing shrubs;

l planting bulbs and shrubs;

l installing nine metal, 'vandal-proof' benches and two litter bins.

Bradford Councillor Derek Kettlewell (Lab, Thornton), who is backing the plan, said the improvements could give a new lease of life to an otherwise little-used area.

"At the moment it lacks colour and it looks tatty, particularly the existing shrubs higher up where they back up to houses," he said.

"Barbara is obviously quite a keen gardener and has had some good ideas. With extra benches, it would give people a chance to sit and enjoy a really good view across the valley."

Mrs Whitehead, who owns the house in nearby Market Street where the Brontes were born, complained that the park, which does not even have an official name at the moment, was not well used because it was so neglected.

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