IF you noticed a gentleman in 19th century clothing wandering through Bournemouth Lower Gardens, don’t worry, you didn’t see a ghost.

Local historian and Lower Gardens Project officer Andrew Emery dressed up as Decimus Burton, the Victorian garden designer of the Lower Gardens, to get the community behind a new drive to improve the town’s most important public park.

Bournemouth Borough Council wants to find out how well the Lower Gardens are used, what elements are most important to people and what they want to see changed or restored.

It hopes to win £2.5 million of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to undertake the restoration work, which it is hoped will commence in 2012.

The council also wants recruits for the Friends of the Lower Gardens – a new volunteer group which will be of central importance in securing the funding.

Mr Emery is set to dress as Decimus Burton once again today to conduct a historic walk and talk between 1pm and 2pm, meeting by the balloon.

People are invited to bring along their treasured memories or photos of the Lower Gardens and afterwards they will be able to join the volunteers’ group.

Volunteers would help to research and promote the social history of the gardens, which are of national importance, and help to plant trees and shrubs.

The council holds another consultation this month, when people can check out information boards in the Lower Gardens and pick up leaflets from the kiosk next to the mini golf.

Mr Emery said: “We are looking for local people who are passionate about the Lower Gardens and would like to help us shape the future of the town’s most important public park.

“It is essential that if we are to be successful in securing lottery funding that we get the community behind the project.”

For more information email Andrew Emery on andrew.emery@bournemouth.gov.uk Anyone interested can also visit him or write to him at Bournemouth Seafront Information Office, Undercliff Drive, Bournemouth, BH2 5AA.