Coronation Park must be kept under the control of Helston rather than be taken over by an out of county company.

This was the view of the town councillors, who have agreed unanimously to back a bid by the South Kerrier Alliance (SKA) to take over the running of the park and lake.

The Helston Packet can reveal that a number of companies from elsewhere in the UK have put in bids for the lease, after Cornwall Council put it out for tender last month.

Helston’s mayor Gillian Geer said: “Helston has to get together on this one. South Kerrier Alliance have put together the most wonderful package and what they would like from us is support and interest in every possible way we can.

“It has come to my attention that some of the tenders that have come in are from up country people; it really needs to stop here. We need to get the county council to understand that we need to look after it.”

Councillor Jonathan Radford-Gaby agreed: “I’m a great believer in local services being controlled by local people. I think it would be an absolutely retrograde step to place any control of the boating lake and Coronation Park with a firm that does not have Cornwall at its heart.”

Former mayor Mike Thomas pointed out that there were still “colossal issues” that needed attention at the park, including the ageing skate park, adding: “We must be aware that it must not become a money pit for this town.”

However, Mrs Geer said that SKA were “very aware” of this and had put together a plan over potential funding.

Bids for the tender are open until Friday, August 12. It will include the running of the park, lake, Events Square and café - with an existing tenant - the River Cober and the former cattle market car park.

The new agreement for the Events Square will include the public toilets and the landlord role for the boat and cycle hire franchise.

Cornwall Council, which will retain the overall ownership of the land, with the tender offered on a 99-year lease, wants someone in place by this winter or next spring at the latest.