Frickley Country Park is to be opened to the local community in Wakefield this weekend.

Sir Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), will join Housing Minster John Healey, Yorkshire Forward Chairman, Terry Hodgkinson, Deputy Leader of Wakefield Council, Denise Jeffrey and town council representatives on Saturday 5 September to officially open the development.

Formerly the site of Frickley Colliery pithead and tip, the 75 hectare (180 acre) area has undergone a transformation to become green, public open space.

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The park contains bridleways, footpaths, cycle routes, sports platforms and over 70,000 trees set in landscaped areas.

The £7million investment by the National Coalfields Programme, a major regeneration programme seeking to breathe new life into former coalfields across England, delivered by the HCA has created a park designed for use by walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

It has also opened up land for housing use, with outline planning consent for 160 dwellings.

The regeneration of Frickley Country Park has been developed and managed by Yorkshire Forward and Wakefield Council and taken two and a half years to construct.

Commenting on the opening Sir Bob Kerslake, said: "This is a truly excellent facility for the local community.

"The work delivered through our National Coalfields Programme, to bring the colliery site back into active use, will enable future generations of local residents enjoy the open space.

"It is a prime example of how we are working with our partners to build sustainable communities in places where people want to, and can afford, to live," he said.

(CD/BMcc)