Four historic UK parks are to undergo major restoration work after National Lottery funding support was confirmed.

Wandle Park in Croydon, London, and The Green in Allerdale, Cumbria, are to receive a share of £3.1m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG).

Meanwhile, Swansea's Cwmdonkin Park and Aberdeen's Duthie Park will benefit from a separate £3.3m investment by the HLF.

In addition to the confirmed grants, 11 other UK parks will receive a share of £900,000 of initial HLF/BIG support after being awarded first round passes.

Among the locations to receive development funding are Wilton Lodge Park, Hawick; Margam Country Park, South Wales; Richmond Park, London; and Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge.

HLF chief executive Carole Souter said: "A local park is a vital resource for surrounding communities and can often be people's only available green space for recreation and leisure.

"We are absolutely committed to supporting historic parks across the UK and by doing so protecting the wonderful legacy that was left to us by the Victorians."

Wandle Park has received £1.9m towards the restoration of original Victorian features and the implementation of an activity plan.

Historic features will also be restored at The Green, Allerdale, which received £1.2m and will also train up to 80 new staff and volunteers.

An £820,000 grant for Cwmdonkin Park will help fund restoration work and volunteering opportunities, while a £2.5m grant will go towards an overhaul of Duthie Park.

Image: Cwmdonkin Park, Swansea