A CITY centre park is to close for a year to allow for a £3m upgrade.

Wharton Park, in Durham, is to get a new heritage centre and cafe and play and fitness areas, plus its amphitheatre, battlements, Alfred the Good statue, Way sculpture and miniature car track will be refurbished.

The park will close for 12 months from Monday, May 11.

Wharton Park, which is owned by Durham County Council, occupies 10.6 acres in the Durham City Conservation Area.

Known as the People’s Park, it opened to the public in 1858 and hosted the first Durham Miners’ Gala in 1871.

The Heritage Lottery Fund is supporting the major restoration project, which has already seen a derelict former park keeper’s house demolished and trees worked on.

Areas around the battlements have been cleared by young people involved in the Haggrid Project.

Tenders have been released for the project and the main contractor will be appointed in April.

The Friends of Wharton Park are looking for new members. For more information, email: whartonpark@durham.gov.uk

For more information, visit friendsofwhartonpark.org.uk