WALKERS who have passed the Chinese Gardens on their way to the top of Rivington Pike have a chance to have a say on their future.

Rivington Terraced Gardens, known as the Chinese Gardens, lie just below the Pike and have been in decline since the second world war.

They were once the private gardens of Edwardian soap tycoon William Hesketh Lever, but a variety of planting has been lost and some of the major structures, including Lever's bungalow, have been demolished.

Plans for a restoration project are now under way and staff from Chorley Borough Council will be at the Chorley Enviro4 on Saturday, September 25, to talk through the proposals.

Graham Sandham, from the council, said: "We are at an early stage in the consultation process and the views of Chorley's residents are now being sought as to the extent of the project and how members of the community might get involved in it."

The project is aimed at a partial restoration of the garden's surviving features, and will also be seeking to encourage more people to use and enjoy it.

It is hoped that as a result many of the lost plants, particularly the rhododendrons, from which the garden got its 'Chinese title' would be brought back. The gardens were designed by Thomas Mawson, regarded as the father of modern landscape design.

Enviro4 is from 10.30am to 3.30pm at St George's Hall, Halliwell Street, Chorley.The event will also be attended by other environmental organisations.