TOURS around a historic park’s Victorian walled garden were one of the highlights at a Spring fair.

Visitors to Stewart Park in Middlesbrough were shown seasonal blooms in the garden based on the original built by iron magnate and Middlesbrough founding father, Henry Bolckow.

The beauty spot, which is renowned for being the birthplace of explorer Captain Cook, has undergone an £8.9m restoration in recent years.

New features include a café as part of a vocational training centre which will be staffed by trainees with disabilities.

Work has also been carried out renovating and refurbishing lakes, paths and woodland areas around the park and a play area with a child-friendly ‘ship’ as its centrepiece has been created.

The project was paid for through a £4.4m Parks for People grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund which encouraged a further £4.5m investment from other funders and Middlesbrough Council.

At the Spring fair held on Sunday (May 25), there was also a farmers’ market, craft fair and children’s entertainment.