CIVIC leaders, campaigners and schoolchildren were on Monday given a sneak preview of stunning restoration work carried out on a popular park – ahead of two days of a reopening party at the weekend.

Circus performers, artists, musicians and sports coaches are expecting welcome thousands of visitors to descend on Durham’s historic Wharton Park, which has undergone a £3m, year-long facelift.

The restoration of Wharton Park – which sits on a hillside near the railway station - has been carried out thanks to £3m from the Heritage Lottery and Big Lottery funds and Durham County Council.

Among those at Monday's event were schoolchildren involved in outreach projects and Christopher Darwin and Griselda Brook - two descendants of William Lloyd Wharton, who bequeathed the land in July 1858.

County council chairman Cllr Jan Blakey also presented the Friends of Wharton Park with Chairman’s Medal for their “outstanding community service”.

As part of the relaunch, pupils from Framwellgate Primary School and artist Liz Million helped create a new children’s guide.

The council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, arts and culture Cllr Neil Foster, said: “This city gem has been given a new lease of life. Wharton Park has for almost 160 years proved a popular destination for children and their families.

“From the much loved miniature cars to the amphitheatre shows, play areas and open green spaces there is much to see and do.

“We have already seen how popular a children’s guide can be at Hardwick Park, and I’m sure this new illustrated information booklet will be invaluable to the many thousands of visitors who visit Durham’s People’s Park.”

Framwellgate School headteacher, Bethan Smith said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed working with Liz on the guide and it was a fantastic project to bring out their creativity.

“The fact that this guide will go into the park to inform and help visitors is something they can all be extremely proud of.”

Louise Vest, the celebration weekend organiser, said: “It’s a free event. If the weather is nice we expect thousands of people turning up over the two days.

The opening celebrations are from 11am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information visit www.durham.gov.uk/whartonpark