The dedication and drive of a community group to revitalise a public park has been rewarded with a £1.64million National Lottery grant.

Funding has been successfully secured to go towards an investment worth £1.8million for Ellington Park in Ramsgate, including a cafe and restored bandstand.

It follows years of hard-work and planning from the Friends of Ellington Park, who have endeavoured to kick-start a regeneration of the once famous Victorian park.

The group worked collaboratively with Thanet District Council to develop a bid for the £1.64million Heritage Lottey Fund.

Together, they achieved a £144,000 development grant in January 2017, and have since been compiling plans with the support of a professional design team, the community and project partners.

Bev Perkins, chair of the Friends of Ellington Park, said: "After so many years of hard work, and fantastic support from the people of Ramsgate, we are thrilled to know Ellington Park’s future is secured.

"So many people have helped us, and this project can only increase our community’s love of the park and our civic pride.”

The revamp will feature a community cafe, toilets and restored bandstand, with landscape works to conserve the terrace and bring back Cheal’s landscape scheme.

The grant will fund a series of community events and activities and the park’s wildlife will have improved habitat.

Cllr Jason Savage, deputy leader of TDC said: "We are delighted to hear that our application to the Heritage Lottery Fund has been successful.

"When we submitted our bid we were very hopeful for a positive outcome.

"This funding is a very significant sum and ensures that we can make great strides on the path to fulfilling the vision for Ellington Park. "With the community and ideas that have been put forward, we can be confident that our plans are a genuine reflection of the input received through consultation.

"We are going to continue our partnership with the Friends of Ellington Park, to ensure that local residents and park users see this historic open space restored.”