Piecing together city park's past

The area has been a park since 1858

Researchers are hoping people living in a Devon city will be able to help them piece together the history of one of its oldest parks.

Plymouth City Council has been awarded £40,600 of lottery cash to work with a number of other bodies to draw up a conservation plan for Devonport Park.

The park has a number of artefacts and building remains which researchers are keen to identify.

Once military land, the area has been a park since 1858.

There are several stone building remains on the southern part of the park around the tennis courts and the Memorial Garden which could be remains of buildings demolished after the blitz during World War II.

The park has a number of artefacts and building remains

Councillor Peter Smith said: "There are a number of busts and a coat of arms at the Fore Street end.

"We think these may be from Widey Court, but we are not sure and would love to hear from anyone who can give us the definitive answer."

Future plans for the park include designing road safety improvements around the park to improve access to the park from surrounding homes, workplaces and schools.