A SCHEME to update a town park is forging ahead, despite an application for a grant being turned down.

Braintree Council is calling for support for its project to revamp the Maldon Road park, in Witham.

Two years was spent trying to secure almost £2 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund.

The bid for funding failed as it was considered a low priority nationally.

Jenny Claydon, landscape architect at Braintree Council, said she still wants to deliver as many of the suggestions as possible.

The authority is hopeful of attracting funding from other sources and wants anyone who supported the previous bid, to reaffirm their support for the project.

Three bids for funding will be made this year and more next year.

The main bid for funding this year will be for cash to provide a community cafe. If successful in its bids, the council also wants to provide community gardens and an attractive boundary to the park along Maldon Road.

Expressions of support should be sent to Jenny Claydon at Braintree Council or e-mail jenny.claydon@braintree.gov.uk