WORK has begun on a bid to restore one of North Yorkshire’s most recognisable gardens.

The first steps in the restoration of Scarborough’s famous South Cliff Gardens are underway as a funding application is being drawn up.

The gardens, which are listed in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England, are well-known to Scarborough’s residents and generations of visitors, but are in a fragile condition and in desperate need of improvement.

A bid for funding is being made to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Parks for People programme, with an initial application due to be submitted by the end of August. If this is successful more detailed plans will be developed and submitted in 2018 and work could potentially start in 2019.

Draft proposals are currently being drawn up by a partnership of Scarborough Borough Council, Groundwork and the Friends of South Cliff Gardens, with support from specialist consultants Oobe Ltd. Plans will be exhibited for the public to comment on in early July.

In the meantime, people are being asked to support the bid by telling the partnership their memories of the gardens by submitting old photos and postcards and general pictures, stories or comments.. To find out more visit the project’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/southcliffgardens or the Friends of South Cliff Gardens website at www.friendsofsouthcliffgardens.com

Adrian Perry, chairman of the Friends of South Cliff Gardens said: “The restoration work in St Martin’s Square, Shuttleworth Gardens, Prince of Wales Garden and the Rose Garden, along with many other smaller interventions, has made the gardens a delight to visit.

“However, the gardens’ infrastructure needs a major overhaul so it is essential that we are successful with our bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund. People who love the gardens must get behind the Parks for People bid and ensure the future of this unique part of our heritage.”