THE Italian Gardens in Saltburn Valley are being given a facelift to help recreate their original Victorian layout.

More than 750 plants are being put in, intricate Buxus hedging is being reinstalled, decorative gravel renewed, new bollards introduced and all the furniture is being refurbished.

The aim is to recreate as closely as possible the vision of the orginal Victorian layout for an Italian parterre garden, which was designed by Joseph Newton and developed between 1865 and 1867.

The work, which is being carried out by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, is the start of a long-term strategy for the Valley Gardens, selected as one of nine pilots for a Countryside Agency project.

It wants to improve support for England's 270 country parks and will use the Valley Gardens to help draw up a set of standards, based on the Civic Trust's Green Flag Award.

Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick, the council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: "The council sees this area as a major tourist attraction, not just for Saltburn, but for the whole borough.

"That's why we're committed to maintaining it in pristine condition for everybody - visitors and residents - to enjoy.