Eleven parks across the UK are set to receive a combined £23m in funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BLF) as part of a nationwide restoration project.

The HLF had recently commissioned a new report looking into the challenge faced by the parks sector, which has been struggling in the current economic climate.

One notable project that has received funding is Fleetwood's Memorial Park, which has secured a £2.4m investment to carry out a comprehensive restoration of the Grade II listed park and create a five-year programme of community activities.

Ipswich Borough Council has also received a grant of £2.8m for their Holywells 'Parks for People' restoration project, which will see its orangery restored and have an open-air theatre installed.

Saughton Park in Edinburgh, Scotland, has received development funding of £392,000 has been awarded as Edinburgh Council progress plans for a further grant towards the £58m project to completely renovate the park.

Parks in Lincoln, London, Canterbury, Stourbridge, Smethick and Keighley are set to receive grants in addition to development funding being awarded to parks in Nottingham, Dunstable, Finchley, Bolton and South Gloucestershire.