A WALLED garden once the tranquil retreat of a 19th Century Warrington family is being restored to its former glory for the public to enjoy.

The historic garden in Grappenhall was once part of a large estate established in 1830 by Thomas Parr, a member of a prominent banking family in the town.

A succession of Parr's lived on the estate but by 1975 the manor house had fell into disrepair.

It was eventually demolished while the gardens were being used as a poultry run and then partly as an organic plot.

Now owners Commission for the New Towns plan to transform the site back to its Victorian and Edwardian splendour.

Work has already begun to get the kitchen and 'pleasure' gardens fully restored. CNT's Ian Dibben has been happy with the progress so far.

He said: "It's already been cleared of six feet high weeds which had grown there and we have also cleaned out nearby ponds to make them safer.

"We have rebuilt walls and secured the existing glass house," he said.

New gateways have also been created to improve accessibility to the garden as well as the fitting of oak doors.

Added Ian: "We are hoping that once the restoration is complete the people of Grappenhall will be able to enjoy a classic walled garden in the state it was in when Thomas Parr came to the area."

Restoration work and clearance is expected to be complete by the end of next year.

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