Neglected local green spaces in London and the South East are to receive a multi-million pound facelift with Heritage Lottery money.

The �12m will be used to revamp Dulwich Park, Peckham Rye Park and Telegraph Hill Park in south London, as well as Dunorian Park at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and Forbury Gardens in Reading, Berkshire.

The money will be spent on restoring existing features and creating new community facilities.

Liz Forgan, chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said they would restore the "historic parks for modern people".

'Exciting fusion'

"They are the forgotten heroes of our heritage - something that we can all enjoy for free," she said.

"Aware of past neglect, the Heritage Lottery Fund is committed to supporting a parks' renaissance through our public parks initiative, restoring historic parks for modern people.

"There is no quick-fix, but we hope that one day every community will have a park of which it can be proud."

Ms Fogan added: "This exciting fusion of enhancement, innovation and improvement offers a lifeline to people who populate areas that are often rundown and desperately short of resources."