A POPULAR park is set to have a £40,000 facelift.

Malvern's Victoria Park is to be brought up-to-date in a programme of work being carried out by Malvern Town Council.

The council has agreed to carry out the work in order to bring the park into line with recommendations made by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) almost two years ago.

Members of the council's environment and leisure committee voted unanimously to approve recommendations set out in a report by town clerk Shirley Young.

The recommendations include work highlighted by RoSPA and the commissioning of a further report to examine any problems that have appeared since the RoSPA inspection.

A Victoria Park working party is also to be set up to examine the area in more detail.

The 2000 report labelled the controversial skatepark area as "high risk", citing issues such as inadequate fencing and a dog grid, which has proved a hazard to park users on wheels.

The report also said the fence around the football pitch was too close to the pitch itself, presenting a hazard to players.

Coun Pat Mewton objected to the immediate removal of the fence, saying it would open a wider area for youths driving their cars on the land.

"Until we restrict vehicular access we cannot take down those fences or the youths will have another area to drive their cars on," he said.

Town clerk Rosemary Lansdown said she had received information on a type of gate which could restrict access to those intent on causing trouble, but still allow vehicle access for legitimate users. The work has been put out to tender.

The council has a £25,000 provision in its 2002/3 budget to carry out the improvements in the park, as well as £8,000 left over from £19,000 earmarked for work on the grandstand and provision of boundary fencing.

The town council also has £6,500 and matched funding from Malvern Hills District Council for a new fence around the skatepark.