Park in ice rink plan

As well as plans for the rink, Walsall Arboretum could also play host to a steam boat chugging on the lake and a "people's forest" planted in the 35-acre park. Walsall Council-appointed park ambassador Barry Sanders said he is confident his vision will come to fruition with a multi-million pound Lottery bid due to be submitted by the end of March.

Councillor Sanders said, if the money was granted, he would see it spent on an ice rink, laid annually in winter, and on a working steam-boat that would prove a fair-weather attraction.

Another plan is to plant a large variety of trees to create what he called a people's forest, possible in the Arboretum extension.

Members of the public would be invited to dedicate a tree to a lost loved one or pet and a register to record all the names would be set up.

Councillor Sanders said: "I really hope this bid is successful as a lot is going on behind the scenes and there are lots of exciting ideas.

"The Arboretum is very well used but I want more and more families to come to the park and enjoy it."

At the same time as the Lottery bid there is an ongoing review of Walsall Illuminations, which, in 2006, suffered its lowest attendance figure in a decade.

The biggest inland lights display in the country dates back to 1875 when a display of candles in coloured glass jars lit up the centre green.

Councillor Sanders said there was talk of keeping a number of the static light displays in place all year round but added this was a separate issue.

The Arboretum, a Victorian park, has lakes, gardens, parkland and woodland walks as well as a children's play area and tennis courts.

It also has football pitches, a golf course, cafe and public toilets.

By Lyndsey Hunt