LOCAL people are being consulted about eight projects in central Swindon, Parks and Walcot, aimed at transforming their communities.

The schemes, totalling £256,535, are being made possible by an award to Swindon Council from the New Opportunities Fund through the Fair Share: Transforming Your Space England scheme, now known as the Big Lottery.

Each of the projects aims to help transform community spaces and will be completed over the next three years.

The first project to be finished is at Broad Green Centre, where a youth shelter, play area and garden with seating have been created to transform the community space. The £59,000 improvements are due to be officially opened on Monday.

Funding of £11,400 has also been allocated to a street lighting project in the Broad Street area and so far, 85 lights have been changed and updated with brighter lanterns.

Faringdon Road Park has been granted £66,150 funding up until March 2007.

The money will provide a new children's play area, new benches and more flowers.

Parks and Walcot received £120,000 for a pilot green waste collection and composting scheme, a public artwork in Sussex Square and the development of Buckhurst Field for community use.

Coun Andrew Bennett (Con, Ridgeway), Cabinet member for community, said: "It is very good news that Swindon has received its fair share of Big Lottery Funding and that residents have identified improvements to their neighbourhoods that will improve the quality of life for all ages and future generations."