Coronation Park is to be returned to the people of Helston.

South Kerrier Alliance has agreed to take over the running of the park on a 99-year lease from Cornwall Council, which is giving £120,000 as part of the transfer.

The contract includes the lake, the car park outside the Old Cattle Market that the group already runs, the skate park and play park.

The cafe will still be run by the current leaseholder, but SKA will become the landlord.

Helston Downsland Trust has also agreed to contribute a further £55,000 to the community interest company, which will use other match funding to carry out much needed work on the area.

David Turnbull, director of South Kerrier Alliance CIC, said: “Clearly we are delighted that the hard work we invested in developing a community led proposal for management of Coronation Park gained so much local support and that Cornwall Council have agreed to support our plans.

"To have a local community group, a town council and Cornwall Council work together in such a way is exceptional. Cornwall Councillor Andrew Wallis has played a critical role in facilitating the project and deserves much thanks from all parties for driving the process forward.

"Coronation Lake and Park is such a high profile, fundamental asset of Helston. It has so much potential for supporting community cohesion as well as developing the visitor economy of the town and surrounding area. It is our belief that the park should be run by the community, for the community.”

Cornwall councillor Andrew Wallis, whose division the park falls within, said: “I believe this is a great result for Coronation Park as the future is secure and has a large amount of funding to start the regeneration of the area. It also always the SKA to go to funders will a large amount of funding than can be matched to other pots.

“Thanks should also be given to Cornwall Council and officers in devolution and open spaces teams who understood the wishes of the community and agreed this devolution deal. Thanks to the support from my fellow Cornwall Councillors in the Community Network Area in bring about this transfer. I look forward to working with this new local partnership.”