COUNCILLORS heard how discarded hypodermic needles, anti-social behaviour and graffiti is damaging a Keighley park for which a bid is planned to secure lottery cash for renovations.

The team of councillors and Bradford Council officers met members of the public for a walk-about consultation session in Devonshire Park.

The Keighley Central ward councillors say they feel a bid for Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) money for the park could restore long-neglected forgotten Victorian features and improve facilities.

Among those who spoke to the councillors was David Paine, 76, of High Spring Gardens, who has been picking up litter in Devonshire Park on a voluntary basis for 13 years.

He said. “I try to do the best I can, but one time I found 200 needles all dumped in one spot.”