MILLIONS of pounds of lottery cash could be spent revitalising one of Keighley’s oldest parks.

Residents and politicians are joining forces to spearhead attempts to return Devonshire Park, in Highfield, to its former glory.

Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) money could both restore long-neglected forgotten Victorian features and improve facilities for modern-day users.

Ideas include new play equipment, sports facilities, extra seating, walking and cycling routes, information boards, a children’s bike track, flowerbeds, CCTV cameras, footpath repairs and the revival of the old ornamental lake.

The project aims to transform the park’s reputation as Cliffe Castle’s poor cousin following repeated reports of drug use and vandalism in recent years.

A child was pricked by a heroin addict’s discarded needle earlier this year, the bowling pavilion suffered an arson attack in 2009 and bushes have been set on fire in recent weeks in a wave of criminal activity.

News of the funding campaign was revealed this week by the three Bradford councillors whose ward includes the 126-year-old park – Khadim Hussain, Kaneez Akthar and Abid Hussain.

Coun Khadim Hussain is confident a detailed application will attract funding. “We will ask people what they want then put together a bid to reflect that. We want residents to retake ownership.”

They stressed plans to apply for lottery cash are in the early stages, but efforts to recruit residents interested in promoting the project are well underway. The fledgling Friends of Devonshire Park are expected to hold their first official meeting next month.

The councillors said the involvement of a strong Friends group will be vital in developing proposals likely to attract lottery cash.

In recent years, similar partnerships between residents and Bradford Council have helped attract millions of pounds from the Heritage Lottery Fund to improve nearby Cliffe Castle Park, Roberts Park in Saltaire and Lister Park in Bradford.

Like Khadim, fellow Keighley Central ward councillor Kaneez Akhtar said she had fond childhood memories of playing in the park.

She added: “Lots of mums from my generation still bring their children here and they’re saddened by the state of the park. They’ve been galvanised into volunteering to help.”

Coun Abid Hussain added: “When we had the meeting involving local people they were delighted and wanted to see change.”

Devonshire Park, opened in 1898, was the first of Keighley’s large municipal parks, developed on nine acres of land presented to the town by the Duke of Devonshire to mark Queen Victoria’s Jubilee.

Anyone interested in joining the Friends should contact Bradford Council officer Liz Horn on 01535 618008.

Resi9dents are also invited to join councillors and Friends volunteers at 4pm tomorrow in the park’s play area for a fact-finding walkabout.