OKEHAMPTON'S Simmons Park is set to return to its former glory after years of neglect.

A £311,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the 'jewel in Okehampton's crown' has been greeted with jubilation.

Four years' work by Okehampton Town Council to pursue funding has finally paid off and hopes are high that the park, opened in 1907, will become one of the most outstanding in the West Country.

Mayor of Okehampton Christine Marsh is thrilled that the town has something to celebrate: 'It's wonderful,' she said.

'We have a unique park which the whole community gets enjoyment from but it has been neglected for many years because of a lack of money.

'Simmons Park is the jewel in Okehampton's crown and the more development that goes on around the town the more precious it becomes. We want to make sure it remains so for future generations.'

The restoration project, which will cost £416,000 in total, will focus on many heritage features of the park which are in a poor state of repair.

Railings and surviving iron furniture will be repaired so too will pathways, entrances and boundaries. Planting will be undertaken and particular attention paid to woodland and riverside walks, rockery and water gardens.

With interpretation leaflets and additional signage, visitors will be more informed as they walk around the park.

Cllr Marsh said the work would honour the memory of Sydney Simmons who gave the park to the town all those years ago.

'Sydney Simmons was the benefactor and now we are doing our bit to give something to the town,' she said.

'This money is a real lift for everybody in Okehampton and as a town council we are very proud to have got it.'

She paid tribute to former mayor the late Len Hayward who started the ball rolling on the project in 1996.

'This is just the beginning of a refurbishment of the whole area which will include the pavilion, children's play area and recreational area,' she added.

The town council has earmarked a £40,000 capital contribution towards the project and plans to borrow the remaining money over the next five years for enhanced maintenance costs. One of the jobs of the authority will be to employ a qualified horticulturalist.

The restoration bid was put together by Nicholas Pearson Associates, of Tiverton, who said the local heritage of the site, combined with the social and community importance of the park justified its application under the Heritage Lottery Board's Urban Park Programme.

Chairman of the town council's parks committee Ray Vallance said the restoration work would take place on the south side of the river which was known as Kempley's Meadows.

'Everyone who comes to Simmons Park is impressed by it particularly because of its location being so close to the town centre.

'Our aim is for Simmons Park to be known as one of the most fabulous parks in the West Country.'

l The Times is grateful to Okehampton Town Council for the loan of these historic photographs.