LILFORD Park has been given a cash donation to transform its park ranger hut into a community hub.

The Friends of Lilford Park was given £1,000 by Permission Homes as part of its community champions initiative.

David Sykes, chairman of the Friends of Lilford Park, said: “What wonderful news to begin the new year with – thank you Persimmon Homes.

“We were formed in 2012 and have done many things to improve our park since then, with our principal success being the repair and recommission of the public toilets.

“Our next objective is to develop our park rangers hut as a community hub, and we need to bring the kitchen area up to modern hygiene standards.

"We need to replace the dilapidated fittings we currently have – new sink unit, cupboards, fittings and work surfaces.”

The Persimmon Homes community champions scheme is a national programme in which charities and groups can apply for funding up to the value of £1,000 to match money they have already raised themselves.

Nationwide the company will donate a total of £750,000.

Dave Hodgson, sales director for Persimmon Homes North West, said: “The Friends of Lilford Park displayed all the qualities to make a perfect community champion.

“It is clear they are doing so much for the area and have some fantastic plans, so we are delighted to support their cause, which will help so many people.

“We had a lot of nominations through and it is always difficult to choose, so I would urge any charity or organisation that missed out this time to get in touch and apply.”

To apply visit persimmonhomes.com/charity.