Scarborough's Peasholm Park, one of the resort's best-known holiday attractions, is set to get its biggest facelift since its creation about 80 years ago.

Famed for its gardens, lake and island, the park is now listed in the English Heritage register of historic parks and gardens as a Grade II site.

Scarborough Borough Council is to have a restoration management plan drawn up.

Peter Dahl, director of tourism, said it would include the reconstruction of the landmark pagoda, which was a prominent feature on the island until it was destroyed by an arsonist 18 months ago.

He said bids were being made to the Heritage Lottery Fund and a European Union scheme for grants to supplement the council's own available funds.

"The historical integrity of the park will be retained in the restoration. The scheme will restore the park to its former splendour and once again make it a major tourist attraction," he said.

Mr Dahl said that while the council still had the original timber pagoda drawings and sufficient photographs to carry out the reonconstruction, the costs would be prohibitive.

Alternative designs for a pagoda using modern materials are being investigated.

Updated: 11:59 Monday, February 26, 2001