A Cumbrian town is set to undergo a £3m transformation after South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) approved a bid for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Plans for Grange-over-Sands, which include improvements to the town's promenade, the ornamental gardens and the Park Road gardens, have been drawn up using council funding and a project planning grant from the HLF. The first application for funding will now be submitted to the heritage organisation in order to allow detailed proposals to be developed, including designs for the three sites and the full costing of the scheme.

It is hoped that, if successful, the HLF funding will provide the majority of the funding for the £750,000 project, although the council has agreed to provide match-funding and has already contributed £6,000 towards the first stage application. SLDC's portfolio holder for communities and wellbeing, Peter Thornton, said: "If the application to the Heritage Lottery Fund is successful, it will really improve and enhance the facilities on offer."