FARINGDON Park will be a blossoming retreat restored to its former glory within three years, councillors have promised.

At a behind closed doors meeting of the Park Working Group yesterday, residents, councillors and Swindon Services officials met representatives from Swindon police to discuss what improvements could be made.

Recently the park has earned a reputation as a poor relation to Queen's Park and Town Gardens a haven for drug takers, drinkers and a place where sexual attacks are common. Only last month a woman was indecently assaulted near the toilets.

Now the council has pledged £45,000 each year for three years from its capital budget to bring the park up to scratch. And a recent consultation with nearby residents highlighted three key areas they would like to see improved.

Coun David Nash (Lab, Central) said: "We asked people what their priorities were and in no particular order they were: railings and gates to secure the park; cutting down overgrown hedges and bushes; and the introduction of warden patrols.

"Other suggestions included a bandstand, which would become a focal point, and a children's play area."

The park is Swindon's oldest and has close links with the railway works. It was given to the borough by the Great Western Railway and was used by GWR employees as a cricket ground and a place to relax with family and friends.

Mechanics' Institute Preservation Trust spokeswoman Martha Parry said: "This £45,000 represents the first drop in the pocket in improving this wonderful park.

"Use prevents abuse. Faringdon Park is a positive asset to the town and we all want to see it restored as a place that people will want to visit.

"I would like to see a children's play area so we could hold a fete next year for the first time in a long while."

Bathampton Street resident Heather Collett, 59, added: "It's simply terrible what has happened to that park the upkeep is atrocious. After years of misuse it needs a massive clean-up. The seating is run-down and the hedges and bushes are overgrown.

"I would also like to see rose and flower beds restored to their former glories."

The first phase of the money must be spent by next April or it will be lost.