A WATER pump that will drain the main lake at South Park, in Darlington, will be switched on today.

It heralds the start of the second main phase of work in the £3.9m project, which will see the transformation of the park.

Up to 100,000 gallons of water will be pumped out of the lake into a foul sewer every day for the next few weeks so that the lake can be prepared for de-silting and re-building.

Andy Wimble, of English Heritage, said: "We are delighted to see the start of this phase of works, which will not only dramatically improve the condition of the lake but restore the heart of this significant historic designed landscape."

The Environment Agency will remove any fish to a safe location while the work is done. Other wildlife will moved to the nearby River Skerne.

As the lake is drained the question of what might lie at the bottom of it will be answered.

The rebuilding of the lake is only part of what will be a total transformation of South Park.

New gardens will be added, existing gardens, such as the rose garden and rockery, restored, the bandstand will be fully restored, with relandscaping of the area around it.

Other historical structures will be restored and an extensive replanting scheme undertaken, with more than 10,000 new trees and shrubs.

The caf will be rebuilt and a classroom for schools and community groups will be added.

The children's play area will be replaced and a ball court and skate board park installed for teenagers. Many of the footpaths will be re-laid and new park furniture will be added.

Security cameras are also being installed to protect the improvement work being carried out.