THE team behind a project to transform Darlington's parks as part of a £1m national scheme have called on the businesses to help the town bloom.

Darlington is the only North East town, and one of only 11 nationwide, to take part in a £1m project called Rethinking Parks, supported by Nesta, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund.

The town was awarded £80,000 last July to deliver an 18-month pilot, which aims to support businesses to develop and sustain long term involvement in South Park, North Park and the Denes.

There are a number of ways businesses can get involved, including financing practical work, encouraging staff to do voluntary and fundraising work and lending their business skills to help the individual parks' Friends groups.

Lisa Locke, from Groundwork North East and Cumbria, is co-ordinating the project with Katie Blundell from the Darlington Cares scheme.

She said: “We want to hear businesses ideas as well as suggesting ways they can get involved.

“Darlington’s parks are a great asset and make the town a fantastic place to live, visit and work in.

“We hope more businesses will see that they can do their bit to help give these parks a vibrant future.”

The Rethinking Parks national project aims to encourage new ways of maintaining and managing parks in the face of public sector cuts by creating new business models and partnerships.

The 11 successful projects, including Darlington, were selected to take part after an open competition to come up with new business models - the ideas will be monitored and tested to see how they work and develop.

Businesses already involved include Ambient Creative, Darlington College, Department for Education, EE, Hayley Jones PR, Star Radio and construction firm Willmott Dixon.

Angela Howey, head of consumer operation at EE Darlington, said: “EE has a brilliant relationship with Darlington Cares and we are very excited to be part of the Groundwork programme this year.

“EE’s volunteering days give our people the opportunity to engage with our local communities and make a real difference, it’s something all of our centre staff tell us they’re proud to be a part of.”

Any business interested in finding out more can call Ms Locke on 01325-353791 or email lisa.locke@groundwork.org.uk