COUNCILLORS heard how discarded hypodermic needles, anti-social behaviour and graffiti is damaging a Keighley park earmarked for an attempt to secure millions of pounds worth of Lottery cash.

The team of councillors and Bradford Council officers met members of the public for a walk-about consultation session in Devonshire Park on Friday afternoon.

Keighley Central Ward councillors say they feel a strong application for Heritage Lottery Fund money for the park could restore long-neglected forgotten Victorian features and improve facilities for today’s users.

News of the planned funding campaign was first revealed in the Keighley News last week.

Possible improvements mooted 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.

Ward councillors Khadim Hussain and Abid Hussain met with representatives from Bradford Council’s wardens service, a police officer and about a dozen residents in the park’s playground.

Keighley town councillor, Shabbir Ahmed, whose own home overlooks the park, was also present.

The walk-about was held to ask residents what they believe should be done to improve the park and its surroundings.

Among those who spoke to councillors was 76-year-old High Spring Gardens resident, David Paine, who has been picking up litter in Devonshire Park on a voluntary basis for 13 years.

“Everyone round here knows who I am,” he said. “I try and do the best I can, but one time I found 200 needles all dumped in one spot.”

Commenting on the prospect of a major funding boost, he added: “I’ll believe it when I see it. I do know the council is very stretched in terms of money at the moment.”

A 21-year-old man living close to the park, who asked not to be identified, said: “I think the park itself is in quite good condition, but there is a lot of anti-social behaviour here. People were burning stuff here during Ramadan.

“Putting up CCTV might be an idea, and it would be great if they could get this funding because the park has so much history behind it.”

Other residents who participated in the consultation included Abid Hussain Chiste and Khalid Mahmood, who agreed persistent bad behaviour by teenagers was discouraging more law-abiding people from using the park.

Mr Mahmood said: “We want this area to be a safe place, but in the summer, when our women bring our children into the park, they don’t feel safe.

“Teenagers hang around smoking and swearing in a playground that is meant to be for small kids. They can be here until 2am banging things and shouting.”

Speaking during the beginning of last week’s on-site consultation, Coun Khadim Hussain, said: “We’re here to gather people’s ideas about what they would like to see done with the park.

“It used to be a beautiful place and it has significant heritage value. We want to make it safe and accessible.”

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