Historic park gets £1.3m facelift

Paths have also been restored in the Grade I-listed park

A £1.3m project to return a historic Black Country park to its former glory has finished ahead of schedule.

Work on Grade I-listed Leasowes Park, in Halesowen, started in May and had been due to finish next month.

The park, which dates back to the 1740s, inspired some of poet William Shenstone's work.

Drawings by the poet were used by architects to design the restoration work because little other archive material existed.

The 18th Century Beechwater dam and cascade, along with the High Cascade and pools at Virgil's Grove, are among the features that have been restored.

Paths have also been restored, and new plants added to the park.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley Council environment cabinet member, said she was "absolutely thrilled" at the restoration.

"It is a true credit to all involved that the work has not only been completed early, but also that a great deal of care has gone in to ensuring our modern engineering expertise has been sympathetic to William Shenstone's original design," she said.

"This enchanting, historic park is on our doorstep and I hope it is treasured and enjoyed for many years to come."