TWO more Swindon companies have thrown their weight behind the project to restore Lydiard Park's historic landscape and a summer push has been announced to get more firms on board.

RWE npower, BMW and Intel had already signed up to offer financial support and the help of staff to bring back the lost lake, and restore the dam wall and the ornamental fruit and flower garden.

Now Halcrow and MAN ERF have said they want to get involved too.

The entire project will cost about £5.3 million. Of this £3.1 million has been applied for from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The rest is coming from businesses, other grant-awarding bodies and Swindon Council.

So far English Heritage, Defra, the Countryside Agency and the Ernest Cook Trust have pledged just under £300,000, and Swindon Council £500,000.

The new businesses on board mean that local firms will so far have contributed £350,000.

The work is due to begin in earnest in September, subject to confirmation of the lottery grant.

Halcrow's group board director Neil Holt said: "I firmly believe that the local business community should do everything in its power to secure Lydiard Park for future generations.

"Lydiard Park is a unique setting in Swindon and offers educational and recreational facilities for all to enjoy.

"Swindon business has been set a challenge to raise the necessary funds to ensure that the bid for Heritage Lottery Funding is successful."

Halcrow, the consulting engineers based at Burderop Park between Wroughton and Chiseldon, are also providing staff to work on the dam wall.

The deadline for attracting more funding from businesses and agencies is June. There is the chance to target support and specific parts of the restoration such as the icehouse, the kitchen garden, the children's playground or disabled access. For example, BMW is concentrating on the 18th century coach house and stable which will be used for school and community groups.

Lydiard's project manager Alan Smith, who has been seconded from RWE npower, said: "This is a great project, great for Swindon, for teamwork and a showcase for active company corporate responsibility please join in with the growing number of businesses which want to put something back into the community that supports us."

To find out more about the project contact Sarah Finch-Crisp, the keeper of Lydiard Mansion, on 770401 or Mr Smith on 893895.