one of Teesside's finest parks will herald the start of a new era with a variety of entertainment.

Plans are being made to restore Stockton's Ropner Park to its former Victorian glory after Stockton Borough Council secured a £2.5m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

To celebrate the transformation, the park will be the setting for a Victorian-themed event next week.

Horse-drawn carriages, penny farthings and schoolchildren in Victorian costumes will use the park in much the same way as they did when it was first designed towards the end of the 19th Century.

The event, on Tuesday, will feature a horse-drawn carriage which was used in 15 Catherine Cookson television dramas and a horse which has been paraded in front of the Queen on three occasions.

The work, which starts in spring, is expected to take two and a half years to complete.

Funding will be used for new landscaping, renovations to the water fountain, an improved children's play area and restoring the park to its Victorian splendour.

A park ranger has been appointed by the council to lead the development proposals in conjunction with the Friends of Ropner Park, which was set up to lobby for the improvements.

Councillor Alex Cunningham, cabinet member for education, leisure and cultural services, said: "This is a significant boost for Stockton and will be a lovely place for people who use this wonderful Victorian park.

"Ropner Park is a much-loved local spot and the announcement from the Heritage Lottery Fund ensures we will be able to provide a first-class park for future generations."