WORK is under way on a £2.5m project to restore one of Teesside's best loved parks.

A new pavilion is being build at Stockton's Ropner Park after heritage lottery money was granted to restore the park to its Victorian glory.

The fountain has been removed and is being restored at a specialist company in Glasgow and overgrown shrubbery has been removed.

The foundations have been excavated for the pavilion and work will start on a play area in the next few months.

The Friends of Ropner Park group, which was formed in 2002, has been working alongside Stockton Borough Council on the restoration plans and there have been regular open meetings to discuss the plans.

Councillor Alex Cunningham, Stockton Council's cabinet member for education, leisure and cultural services, said: "The restoration work will help return the park to its former glory while some of the more modern developments will give it a new look.

"We want to encourage more people to enjoy the park as a leisure facility and I am sure the new pavilion, play area and newly-restored fountain will be welcomed by all."