PRIMARY school pupils were visited by one of Stockton's most important figures in history yesterday.
Sir Robert Ropner, alias actor Chris Connaughton, was a guest at Oxbridge Lane Primary School.
He talked to the youngsters about the major improvement works due to be carried out in Stockton's Ropner Park.
Sue Moppitt, headteacher at the school, said: "It is crucially important the pupils are involved in the developments going on in the park as they are the future users of the park."
Sir Robert Ropner, a shipping magnate, dedicated the park to the people of Stockton in 1890 and the actor spent the day with youngsters, talking about life in Victorian times and explaining the proposals for the park.
Stockton Borough Council has secured £2.5m of Heritage Lottery funding to carry out a programme of works to help restore the park to its former Victorian glory.
It will be used for new landscaping, renovations to the water fountain and an improved children's play area.
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