A MULTI-MILLION pound revamp of one of the region’s most popular parks has been completed.

Following a £7m transformation, Preston Park Museum and Grounds has been hailed as “the spectacular centrepiece of Stockton Borough’s cultural landscape”.

After two years of refurbishment, the attraction now features a revamped Victorian Street - complete with tea room - and a revitalised museum experience that offers visitors the chance to explore the history of the site and of Stockton.

The world-famous George de la Tour painting “Dice Players” is now more prominently displayed and lifts have been installed to make access easier.

More than 100,000 visitors have enjoyed the new and improved museum experience since doors reopened last July.

Ken Dixon, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, praised the improvements and said: “Preston Park Museum & Grounds really is the jewel in our crown. It now has something for everyone from children who enjoy the grounds and play area to visitors who want to see all of the wonderful exhibits we have on display.”

To mark the completion of the regeneration work – which was funded by Stockton Borough Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund – there will be an evening of celebrations hosted at the site in March.

A specially commissioned 3D film will be projected onto the exterior of the Grade II listed museum building on Wednesday, March 13.

The 15-minute long projection, entitled Lustre, was created by Novak Collective to explore the history of the museum – once the home of shipbuilder Robert Ropner – and to showcase artefacts from the museum’s collection.

Mr Dixon said: “This special evening of celebration is a highlight in our calendar.”

Members of the public are invited to attend the event. Tickets – which are free but limited to 1,000 - are available from Preston Park and the Rediscover shop in Stockton High Street on a first come, first served basis. Gates will open at 5.30pm and the film will be shown at 7pm and again at 7.45pm.