FAMILIES are being invited to turn out for the grand opening of the magnificently restored Victoria Park.

The event, between noon and 4pm on Tuesday, August 19 will see Mayor Councillor Geoff Pearl cut the ribbon following its £4 million transformation.

Renovations began in February 2013 following eight years of campaigning by the Friends of Victoria Park.

The project has been funded by Heritage Lottery fund as well as Ibstock Corey, Corey Environmental Trust for Britain, Mersey Forest, United Utilities and Bliss.

There have been refurbishments to many of the park’s ageing features, including new tennis courts, landscape features, Victorian bandstand, community garden, pond and 1913-style Orangery.

There will be plenty of activities on offer at the park including a climbing wall, crazy golf, and brass band.

“We encourage everyone to turn up and enjoy this beautiful renovated park and see what facilities are on offer,” said Ann Shacklady-Smith, of the Friends.

“There’ll be lots of people in the park so everyone can enjoy it.

“It means everything to us to see the park now. We are all local people in the Friends and many of us live around it and have childhood memories of playing in the park.

“We had a passion to get it back to its former glory and it plays a really important part in the community as lots of people can’t afford to go to other places. It means everything to see it taking off.”