THE first phase of a heritage park which will stretch six-and-a-half miles of countryside along the banks of the River Tees is due to be officially opened this weekend.

More than £600,000 has been invested in the Tees Heritage Park, which will be launched at an event at Preston Hall.

The area, bounded by the communities of Thornaby , Ingleby Barwick, Yarm and Eaglescliffe , has had new "gateway" features installed to the park and footpaths linking the area have been improved.

Artworks have been installed and rest areas created to help turn 2,000 acres of natural environment into a facility for people to enjoy.

The five major artworks are at the Holmes and Black Bobbies, in Thornaby, and Bassleton Beck Va lley, Bowesfield Nature Reserve and Preston Park.

The sculptures also include a tag which allows smart phone users to accessmore information and provide links to websites about the Heritage Park and the area in general.

The new gateways into the park include a 2m high, cast iron "signal post" designed by artists Keith Barrett and Linda Watson.

Doug Nicholson, chairman ofthe Friends of Tees Heritage Park, the group which set the ball rolling for the park, said: "It is wonderful to see a dream we had eight years ago now turned into reality. Tees Heritage Park is driven and supported by the community and we want it to be a haven for generations to enjoy our fantastic heritage and landscape."

Councillor Ken Dixon, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture, said: "The vision for Tees Heritage Park has been made possible by great partnership working and the commitment of the Friends of Tees Heritage Park. It is exciting to have the park launched for people to enjoy. The river is at the heart of Stockton and Tees Heritage Park is a celebration of our natural asset."

The park was created thanks to a partnership between the Friends of Tees Heritage Park, the Environment Agency, Canal and River Trust, Stockton council, Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and Groundwork North-East. The funding came from the Big Lottery Community Spaces programme and Natural England.

The launch event is at Preston Hall, from 2.30pm to 6pm on Sunday. There will be a family fun day including craft activities and displays explaining the different elements of the park.