A NORTHWICH park is being given a 'very exciting' facelift thanks to more than £100,000 of investment.

Work has started at Marbury Country Park to create a new outdoor play area. This follows recent site preparation and tree maintenance, carried out early to avoid the bird nesting season.

This project was made possible following a successful £100,000 grant from funding body FCC Communities Foundation together with additional funding secured from Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The new facilities will consist of a bespoke outdoor play area with new play equipment, picnic tables and seating, interpretation boards, landscaping, planting, fencing and improved footpath connections plus new surfaced areas.

The new play area is a more centrally located site, adjacent to the existing park offices. This will also provide the opportunity to make use of adjacent picnic areas, toilet facilities, footpaths and the Marbury Park education hub.

A limited number of touring caravan pitches will also be available, though these can only be pre-booked by organised groups, for temporary, short-term use.

The cabinet member for housing, planning and climate emergency, Councillor Matt Bryan said: "This is a very exciting project for Marbury Park and I’m sure visitors to the park will be thrilled to see the new facilities taking shape.

“The works will be carefully managed and controlled to ensure the safety of park users, but please expect some construction activity related noise and disturbance at times. Please take extra care and be vigilant for slow moving vehicles and equipment if you are near the work area.”

A small area of the car park will be utilised for a delivery and storage compound to keep the main construction vehicle activity within one manageable, fenced space away from the busiest areas.

It is planned that the new play area will be completed by Summer 2022.