Plans to transform one of Truro’s favourite parks have been given the green light thanks to a whopping £100,000 grant from SITA Cornwall Trust.

This amount has been match-funded by Truro City Council and Cornwall Council Section 106 money, bringing the amount raised by the Friends of Boscawen Park community group to £200,000.

"We are delighted with the Trust’s decision to grant us the £100,000. It means we can now begin in earnest to develop the play area at Boscawen Park", said chair of the group, Heidi Morgan.

"We plan to install a range of new equipment as well as improve some of the existing facilities. Our objective is to create a park that appeals to children of all ages and abilities for years to come."

The latest draft of plans encompasses a series of play zones with age-appropriate equipment, for which play providers are now being asked to tender.

Truro-based landscape architects, MeiLoci, have created the design, which has been based on comments and feedback gained from local people.

"We felt it was essential to involve visitors to the park right from the beginning," said Trish Hawes, co-owner of MeiLoci.

"We had a huge response at all the various consultations and fun days. Every comment has been looked at and taken into consideration.

"The design we have drawn up reflects the wishes of local people.’ Construction work is expected to begin within the next four to six months.

SITA Cornwall Trust, which provides funding through the Landfill Communities Fund said: "We were very impressed with what the Friends of Boscawen Park have achieved in such a short time.

"We felt that their commitment to improving facilities for the local community was definitely something to be rewarded.

"They are a very hard-working and dedicated team of volunteers, with lots of expertise and we have no doubt that they will achieve remarkable results and create a park that the city can be proud of.

Detailed plans will go on display in September when the community will be able to choose the final design.