THE region's oldest municipal park will open to the public on Sunday after a multi-million pound restoration. The family day held at South Park, Darlington, will herald a new beginning for the park after its £3.8m restoration.

Organisers hope people will come in their thousands to see the changes.

Park manager Paul Place said the event was the culmination of three years of work.

He said: "Everybody is getting very excited about it.

"I would like to thank the people of Darlington for bearing with us; they have put up with a lot.

"The park has resembled a building site at times and it is to their credit they have been so patient.

"We hope the event on Sunday will show the people of Darlington that it has all been worthwhile.

"It is the end of the restoration project, but more importantly, it is the start of a new future for the park."

The day will begin at noon when Mayor Stella Robson unveils a bronze commemoration plaque.

Other attractions will include street theatre, a New Orleans jazz band, a Punch and Judy show, bungee trampolines and children's rides.

A competition will also be held to win a helicopter ride above Darlington and South Park, for which visitors will have to crack a code in a treasure hunt.

Marion Bynoe, Darlington Borough Council's events development officer, said: "There has already been a lot of feedback from the public who are very excited about it, and I am excited myself.

"We are hoping lots of people turn up because it is going to be a wonderful event."

The restoration includes a new rose and sensory garden, rockery and rustic bridge.

New public toilets, benches, bins and signs have also been installed.

The park is also providing improved play facilities, including the town's first skateboard park.

John Throw, chairman of the Friends of South Park, said: "The park is really starting to look good and we hope we can promote the Friends and increase its usefulness to the community. It is widely used now, but it looks so glorious we think that it will get used even more."

Chris Lines, of development agency One NorthEast, said: "South Park will be a wonderful attraction that I am sure will be hugely appreciated by residents and visitors alike."

The event is being supported by One NorthEast, Parsons Brinckerhoff and Hellens, Alpha fm and the Friends of South Park.

l See Monday's paper for a full report and pictures from the opening