NEWPORT'S historic Belle Vue Park is to be reopened this summer after more than £2 million spent to restore its former glory.

Project leaders say despite delays, the park will be ready by this summer. An official opening is due to be held either in July or August.

John Woods, the city's parks development manager, said: "Most of the major problems are behind us now."

The project cost a total of £2,216,000. Of that, £1,564,000 was paid for by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The balance of £652,000 came from the council's capital budget over five years.

The finished park will include original features including the main pavilion, conservatories and a bandstand.

The gardens will also be restored and replanted with features including a cascade fountain, rockery and Friary garden with seating.

Leisure facilities include the bowling greens, a children's play area - finished three years ago - as well as two tennis courts and a multi-games court, completed last year.

The council is also looking into getting a licence to hold weddings at the park - already a popular venue for wedding photos.

Mr Woods said: "This was the first major public park in Newport. The project has given it a new lease of life."

He hopes it will be enjoyed by Newport residents and visitors to the city alike.

In recent months the project has come under criticism for delays to the finish date. Setbacks mean the opening is two years behind the council's original target date of 2004.

Mr Woods said: "Many of the structures in the park are from the 1800s and are now listed buildings so CADW and the Lottery have been involved.

"It meant everything from the materials used to the colours the poles we put CCTV cameras on have to be agreed on, which has taken a lot of time."

Many materials were hard to source, for example terracotta for the balustrades of the pavilion is only made in two places across the UK and yak hair was needed to replicate authentic 19th-century plasterwork.