Leicester Cathedral Gardens set for official opening

Leicester Cathedral Gardens has seating for about 800 people

A new public space, built as part of a £2.5m regeneration project to revamp an area near Leicester Cathedral, has been unveiled.

Cathedral Gardens has seating for about 800 people and will be the setting for the new Richard III visitor centre later in July.

The Bishop of Leicester said the garden space would be a "magnet" for thousands of visitors.

Work to improve the nearby Peacock Lane is due to be completed in August.

'Special setting'

A statue of Richard III has been placed at the centre of the Cathedral Quarter project after being moved from Castle Gardens in May.

The bronze figure has been restored and cleaned.

The Right Reverend Tim Stevens said: "Most great cities have a cathedral at their heart and our cathedral will now be set in a garden space which will be a magnet for thousands who will visit Leicester in the years ahead.

The city's mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said the gardens were a "special setting" for the cathedral and the Richard III centre.

A series of events took place on Saturday for the official opening.

The project has been funded by the Diocese of Leicester, Leicester City Council and private donations, with support from Leicestershire County Council.

The clean and restored Richard III statue has been placed at heart of the gardens