MOUNDS forming in Simmons Park signal the start of a £400,000 project to restore the jewel in Okehampton's crown.

Calstock-based Landscape Southwest Ltd has won the contract to carry out the work, which is due to be completed by the end of June this year, but the project will be an ongoing one.

It was over a year ago Okehampton Town Council heard its grant application of £311,000 to the Heritage Lottery Fund was successful.

Restoration work will include tree and shrub planting, lawn improvements, refurbishment of park benches, gates, railings and walls, path repairs, woodland management and restoration of the water garden.

Mayor Christine Marsh said the plan was 'just brilliant': 'The park is something which is dear to my heart,' she said.

'A chain of events have led to its neglect over the years so it is absolutely great that we can bring it back to what it once was.'

Historic maps and photographs have provided evidence to assist in the restoration of the park's historic planting and features.

Horticulturally trained park keeper David Whitfield has been in post since August to work on the project.

Cllr Marsh added: 'Simmons Park is a terrific asset to Okehampton — it's lovely now but it is going to be beautiful.'

The park will not be closed during the works, but the town council has asked that people using it pay full attention to safety signs and keep dogs on leads within the park for everyone's safety.

Simmons Park was given to the town by Sydney Simmons in 1907 and in its heyday was the envy of towns up and down the country.

The contract won by Landscape Southwest Ltd will amount to £150,000, with other funds paying for a park keeper's office on site, a tractor shed and horticultural compound and ongoing work.

The town council's contribution to the project is the employment of the park keeper for the next five years, but the authority hopes to make the position permanent.

Contracts manager for Landscape Southwest Ltd David Lovejoy said the company was very pleased to have been awarded the contract.

'There is something very rewarding about a project like this because so much hard work has gone into making the bid successful,' he said.

'For us, there is also the satisfaction of working on something which is local — indeed some of the workforce live within within easy walking distance of the park itself and so will directly benefit from the improvements.'

There will be a re-dedication of the park in July when the work is completed.