Ways to secure the future of an historic park on the outskirts of Norwich are to be explored thanks to a lottery grant of almost £100,000.

The 70-acre Catton Park was restored in 2006 thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant and is managed by the Catton Park Trust as a place of quiet recreation and enjoyment.

But the trust acknowledges that, in the current economic climate, grants are much harder to come by and it is becoming increasingly difficult to cover the running costs of the park, which were about £60,000 last year.

The trust has been awarded just under £100,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund Transition scheme to help it find ways to make the park, which includes 20 acres of woodland. more sustainable.

Judy Leggett, chairman of the Catton Park Trust, said: 'I am so grateful that we have been awarded this grant. This will help us to ensure that the good work, which restored agricultural land to the lovely park it is today, will continue for the benefit of current and future users.

'This grant is not to pay for the running costs of the park, but to investigate and implement ways the park's future can be secured.'

The trust has appointed heritage experts Oakmere Solutions Ltd to work with them and to consult with park users, the park's Friends Group, the local community, voluntary and community groups and local authorities to assess what is currently offered at the park and its future potential.

An online survey has been launched at www.cattonpark.com, while a public meeting to discuss the park's future has been organised.

Dr Sharon Goddard, director of Oakmere Solutions, said: 'The Catton Park Trust, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, has taken a proactive approach to addressing the challenges of its future.

'We are delighted to be working with them to identify ways forward which are sustainable, meet the diverse requirements of local people and respect the significant heritage of the site.

'Collecting the views of local people is a key element of this work.'

The public meeting will be held in Hayman Lodge, in Catton Park, from midday until 2pm next Thursday.

• Are you trying to preserve part of the city's heritage? Call reporter Dan Grimmer on 01603 772375 or email dan.grimmer@archant.co.uk