AFTER two years of redevelopment and construction a new museum and garden complex will open its doors to the public this month.

Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens is the centrepiece of the £13m Mowbray Gardens Scheme.

Mowbray Park, which was destroyed by a bomb during the Second World War was restored and opened last year.

On Saturday, July 21 visitors will be able to see the new Winter Gardens and restored museum for the first time.

There will also be entertainment throughout the day in Mowbray Park to celebrate the event.

The museum has a new glazed entrance on Burdon Street and eight new galleries.

The Winter Gardens are home to more than 1,000 of the world's most exotic flowers, plants and trees, including an 80-year-old Sicilian olive tree and a 6.5-metre tall Yucca from Honduras.

The gardens also feature sculptures, a waterfall, Koi carp and a treetop walkway where visitors can look down on the displays.

Sunderland City Council chief executive Colin Sinclair said: "This is the culmination of four years of hard work to bring the £13m Mowbray Gardens project to life and what better way to celebrate than with a carnival weekend?

"The museum and Winter Gardens is not only a fabulous attraction in its own right, but it's also a symbol of Sunderland's confidence and ambition for the future."

The museum and Winter Gardens will open to the public on Saturday, July 21 at 10am. Admission is free