Revamped Tees Heritage Park officially opened

The first phase of the park was opened at Preston Hall

The first phase of a £600,000 project to transform a Teesside park has been officially opened.

Open land at the Tees Heritage Park between Yarm and Stockton has been revamped with landscape artworks and new gateways, rest areas and footpaths.

Developers hope it will help turn the 2,000 acres of natural environment into a place for visitors to enjoy.

Doug Nicholson, chair of the Friends of Tees Heritage Park, said it was "wonderful" to see the transformation.

The project was created by Friends of Tees Heritage Park, the Environment Agency, Canal & River Trust, Stockton Council, Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and Groundwork North East.

Mr Nicholson 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."

Funding for the project came from the Big Lottery Community Spaces programme, managed by Groundwork UK, Stockton Council and Natural England.

The first phase of the park was opened at Preston Hall on Sunday.