Six parks across the UK are set to be transformed after being handed a share of an £18m funding package from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG).

The cash injection has been made through the Parks for People initiative, which aims to support a wide range of projects designed to restore and improve public parks throughout Britain. Stewart Park in Middlesbrough has received a grant of more than £4.3m to help fund a scheme to provide a new visitor centre, an education venue and a shop, as well as training workshops and two public event spaces.

Improvements will be made to the park's lakes, paths and woodland and a new vocational training centre with a café will also be opened to teach horticultural, conservation and catering skills. Queens Park in Bolton, Lancashire, has been awarded nearly £4.3m to fund a new community pavilion with café and the refurbishment of a Grade II-listed lodge, while Stamford Park in Tameside, Greater Manchester, has netted nearly £4m to preserve historic buildings and monuments.

Spinney Hill Park in Leicester (£2.6m), St James' Park in Southampton (£1.1m) and Howard Park and Gardens in Letchworth Garden City (£1.8m) were also among the parks to receive funding. HLF chief executive Carole Souter said: "Public parks are vital places and HLF and BIG are proud that our continued funding is steadily reversing years of under investment. £18million will go a long way to transform these six parks but further money will always be needed to ensure they are properly maintained.

"These are difficult times. It would be terrible if parks budgets were cut. All the good work of the last 15 years could so easily be undone. So we would urge people to voice their passion for their local park. Write a letter to the council, join a Friends Group or get involved with what's happening or not happening in your park. We can all help make sure public parks are a priority." Image: Queen's Park, Bolton