THE multi-million pound restoration of a park was celebrated by the Duke of Gloucester yesterday.

His Royal Highness, Prince Richard officially opened Hardwick Park in Sedgefield, County Durham, following its revamp.

The country estate has been returned to its 18th Century glory by Durham County Council, with £4.1m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Yesterday, the Duke, who is the Queen’s cousin, toured the park, which was originally the vision of wealthy landowner John Burdon in the 1750s.

He employed leading architect James Paine to design impressive grounds, with tranquil walks punctuated by breathtaking views of a lake, follies and fake ruins.

The landscape began to decline early in the 1800s, disappearing in a tangle of undergrowth and many of the buildings fell into ruin.

But in 1999, the council began the huge restoration project and thousands of people now regularly visit the park, including school pupils who take part in education projects at the visitors’ centre.

The Duke said: “It is a great pleasure for me to come to Hardwick Park to see all that you have achieved here.

“I’m interested in history of architecture and landscape, so it is a special pleasure to see what had been pretty much a wreck, revived.”

Unveiling a plaque at the visitors’ centre, the Duke said: “It is proper that this is revived for the benefit of the public.

“Beautiful trees, plants, a feeling of well-being being outside, being made very welcome – I suspect for that reason you will have more and more people coming here, because it is a nice place to spend time and there is plenty to see and do.

“I congratulate all those who have played a part in restoring this public park, bringing pleasure to thousands of visitors over years to come.

“I hope everyone who comes here has a very good time.”

During his visit, the Duke met volunteers who help look after the 200 acres, including the first three junior rangers to work alongside staff and adult volunteers.

Hardwick Primary School pupils Bethany Petterson, ten, Kate Carmichael and Kane Doyle, both nine, are keen to take part in conservation and wildlife work such as tree planting and bird monitoring.

Volunteer ranger, Richard Gater, 78, of Norton, near Stockton, had special cause to celebrate the occasion as he has accumulated 10,000 hours of voluntary work assisting staff and visitors at the park over the past decade.