Next phase of £4.6m former colliery plans revealed

The F-Pit Engine House and the attached headgear are the only surviving structures of New Washington Colliery

Plans to refurbish a mining museum and its surrounding park at the site of a former colliery are taking a step forward.

Sunderland City Council has announced the second phase of the £4.6m project at the F-Pit museum and Albany Park in Washington.

Plans include building a visitor centre and cafe with a community space, as well as creating an external exhibition area, a dog park and refurbishing play areas.

Councillor Beth Jones, portfolio holder for culture, said the plans were about "preserving and promoting" an important part of Washington's heritage, while also developing its potential as a destination for future generations.

The council said it expected work on Albany Park would start in the spring, with building work on the visitor centre and cafe in the summer.

The F-Pit Engine House and the attached headgear are a Scheduled Ancient Monument and the only surviving structures of New Washington Colliery, which closed in 1968.

The first phase of the project was completed in June with woodland management and wildflower planting carried out.

The council has launched a consultation into the second phase, which will run until the end of September.

Ms Jones added: "I'd like to thank residents for helping to shape these emerging plans and encourage them to participate in this latest consultation so they can continue to stay involved as plans progress."