A MYSTERY fundraising project will be announced next month in a bid to secure the £2.7million needed to revamp Poole Park.

The project, remaining under wraps until launch night, has been organised as part of the park's Heritage Lottery Fund bid project.

Money donated by park supporters will be match-funded with lottery cash, enabling the park - currently in the year of its 125th anniversary - to be improved.

This fundraiser is being organised by the Poole Park Heritage Group, a separate body to the Friends of Poole Park, whose members worked to secure round one of the Heritage Lottery Fund bid earlier this year.

Borough of Poole will be working in conjunction with the Poole Park Heritage Group's latest mystery fundraiser, set to be announced at the park's cricket pavilion on July 2

A heritage group spokesman confirmed: "The new fundraising project for Poole Park is being launched to try and secure the match-funding that will hopefully lead to an overall grant of £2.7m for the borough's premier park.

"The money received so far from the Heritage Lottery Fund is only a development grant that allows for the full design of the proposed park improvements."

Poole Park was opened in 1890 and parts of its infrastructure are deteriorating, explained the spokesman.

He added: "These include heritage items such as the bridge and surrounds of the sluice gate, areas of hard surfacing, the play area on West Field and a gradual erosion of the original Victorian design."

It is hoped the lottery money will bankroll improvements to the park's lakes, water features, play areas and heritage sites.

New traffic measures are planned and money will be allocated to manage the park's geese and wildfowl populations.