'Over the moon' park team raise £300k for new hub

Park ranger Julie Norman said the park on the Fylde Coast was "the heart of the community"

Raising £300,000 to build a new community centre has left volunteers and staff of the charity that runs it "over the moon".

More than 20,000 people each year had been using the eco-pod at Park View 4 U in Lytham for education sessions, wellbeing activities and as a meeting space for community groups.

But the wooden building was damaged irreparably by water ingress to the point where it became structurally unsafe.

Park ranger Julie Norman said the park, on the Fylde Coast, was "the heart of the community".

The old building was damaged irreparably by water ingress to the point where it became structurally unsafe

It was set up by a group of local people 21 years ago and was originally "just a boggy, wet field", she said.

"We have fundraised over the years for the things the community asked for," she added.

Facilities include a toddler area, a sand play area, a skate park, BMX track, a kitchen garden and a cafe as well as the pod.

"Unfortunately the way the pod was designed meant water was seeping in through the roof without us knowing over an eight-year period so the whole wooden structure has rotted away to the point it became structurally unsafe," Ms Norman said.

Facilities include a toddler area, a sand play area, a skate park, BMX track, a kitchen garden and a cafe

It has been out of use since 2023 and the charity has spent the past 18 months fundraising.

Work has now started on the new centre thanks to support from Lytham School Foundation, Fylde Council and BAE Systems.

It will have a multi-purpose community space with solar panels, underfloor heating, a large projector screen, kitchen and toilets.

The plan is for the hub to reopen in the spring.