A neglected area of Thornton could be turned into a Millennium Park.

Bronte enthusiast Barbara Whitehead is hoping to draw up plans to transform the area of land behind the Black Horse pub in Thornton.

The small park, which has entrances at the junction of Kipping Lane and Thornton Road, currently has only one park bench and one litter bin.

But Mrs Whitehead, who owns the house in Market Street, Thornton, where the Brontes were born, says it could become an attractive centrepiece for the village.

"It could be a real jewel," said Mrs Whitehead, who has already enlisted the support of Thornton Action Partnership and the Woodland Trust.

The park, which does not even have an official name, is maintained by Bradford Council.

Mrs Whitehead, who raised the issue at the recent meeting of Thornton Neighbourhood Forum, says the area could be greatly enhanced with better facilities and more flowers and plants.

"At the moment we have one bench and one litter bin but they are nowhere near each other," she said.

"It does seem crazy. Youngsters accumulate by the bench and of course they're not going to walk right over to the other side of the park to put their litter in the bin. It would make far more sense to have a bin next to every bench."

Mrs Whitehead has been in touch with Bradford Councillor Derek Kettlewell (Labour, Thornton) to discuss the idea and hopes to apply for grants to fund the scheme.

But she says her plans to give the park a facelift would not be expensive and there would be few extra maintenance costs.

"I'm dying to get started on replanting. Some of the things there at the moment are revolting," she said.

Mrs Whitehead says the park, which commands views across the valley to Queensbury, could become a scenic picnic spot for visitors and people living and working in Thornton.

She would also like to give it a proper name, possibly Millennium Park.

Anyone interested in helping can contact Mrs Whitehead on (01274) 830849.

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