Exultant residents are celebrating after winning a long-running battle to gain multimillion pound funding for the regeneration of Bishop's Park, Fulham.

The Heritage Lottery (HLF) and Big Lottery Funds (BIG) announced on Friday £3.64m would be injected into rejuvenating the historic park, which has been open since 1893.

It brings to an end years of campaigning from hundreds of residents, who have long since argued the park needs major regeneration.

Delighted Amanda Lloyd-Harris, chairwoman of the Friends of Bishop's Park, said: "This vindicates all the hard work we have put in over so many years – it has certainly not been an easy journey.

"It has been a huge, huge battle and there have been periods certainly where it has been touch and go.

"Throughout its history there has been a lack of money invested which has left the park not at a standard people would expect. It seemed no one was prepared to put the money in because they weren't sure what to do with it.

"But now we can look forward to some facilities that begin to befit a park of such stature."

The HLF, which also gave grants to five other parks across the country, says the money will be spent on the restoration of existing landscape and buildings, and it is also pledging to get residents involved in the day-to-day running of the refurbished land.

Ms Lloyd-Harris says the old Fulham Beach will be restored, allowing people to wade in the water, and that new children's equipment will be installed.

"Everyone is going to be catered for," she added.

Carole Souter, chief executive of HLF, said on behalf of HLF and BIG: "Now the clocks have gone forward, it’s the perfect time to get out and enjoy our many wonderful public parks. We should all remember that parks need constant care and attention, often relying heavily on voluntary support and continued investment. HLF and BIG recognise this and are proud to play a key role in supporting such an important part of our country’s heritage.”