A TWO day party with circus performers, artists and musicians is being held to celebrate the reopening of a popular park.

Durham’s Wharton Park is reopening on Saturday, May 28 after a year-long renovation.

The £3million project has included building a new heritage centre, playgrounds and fitness area and restoring the miniature care trace.

The opening weekend will see live performances, wandering storytellers, free arts and crafts, coached sports sessions, outdoor gym equipment classes and circus workshops between 11am and 3pm on both days,

Cllr Neil Foster, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, arts and culture, said: “Wharton Park is one of Durham's hidden gems and it is fantastic to see it rejuvenated and ready to welcome visitors to the city.

“For locals the park provides important green space and recreational opportunities, while with improved access and exciting new additions like the heritage centre, I hope it will be another great string in what is already a magnificent tourism bow, encouraging more and more people to come to the county.”

Parking at the site on those days will be restricted to blue badge holders only, with visitors urged to use Durham’s Park and Ride on the Saturday and public transport on the Sunday.

If arriving by foot from the city centre festival makers will be on hand to advise on routes into the park as access via Framwellgate Peth is very steep and an alternative route, via North Road, may be more suitable for some people.