RESIDENTS in Burnley are being asked to say what changes they would like to see at historic Towneley Hall during the next five years.

The Grade I-listed hall is in the last year of a multi-million pound historic restoration programme, which has seen work done to the pond, the Causeway End entrance to the park and the Italian flower garden.

Now workshops are being held at the popular tourist attraction for people to voice their opinions about what they would like to see happen at the hall after the remainder of the £3.2million is spent.

This year it is hoped that improvements will be made to the main Hanbrig entrance off Tod-morden Road, refurbishment of the bowling green toilets in the walled garden and creation of new parkland following demol-ition of existing Unity College.

Burnley Council is in charge of restoration works at Towneley Park, with the work funded thro-ugh the Heritage Lottery Fund. Towneley project manager Ann-ette Birch said: “This year has seen many exciting develop-ments for Towneley with contin-ued support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

“Many of the suggestions put forward by the people of Burnley at previous workshops have been put into motion and Towneley was successful in achieving the Green Flag Award for the second time.

“Visitors have been enjoying the improvements, and this is an opportunity for people to have their say on the next five years.”

To celebrate the end of the HLF historic restoration programme a celebration event is being plan-ned next June.

Ideas have come forward includ-ing a parade from Unity College throughout the park, music and sculpture trails and a meeting about the celebrations is being held next Tuesday at 1pm.

The workshops at Towneley Hall lecture theatre will also take place on Tuesday, at 2pm, and on Saturday, November 14 at 2pm.

For further details on the workshops and Towneley Park’s management and maintenance plan, contact Annette Birch on 01282 424213.