Two major restoration schemes - part of a half-a-million pound package to revitalise Skipton's park - are due to be opened to the public this week.

Craven District Council and British Waterways are to officially open £250,000 worth of canalside improvements tomorrow and four days later the new-look pitch-and-putt course will be unveiled.

It has been closed since October while £85,000 has been spent re-laying putting greens and new tees and re-shaping bunkers.

The Leeds-Liverpool canalside project has been backed by English Partnerships, the Craven Counts initiative in Skipton and Skipton Building Society.

The work includes resurfacing the canal towpath, new lighting, seats and fencing, signage and interpretation boards.

Public spaces adjacent to the canal have been restored and there has been extensive landscaping.

The pitch-and-putt course has been extended from 12 holes to 15, but the three new holes will not be open to the public until next year, giving time for the greens and fairways to get established.

The work has been funded by the Council's capital challenge programme and is part of a £500,000 package of improvements for the whole of the park.

Mick Cartledge, Craven's head of economic and community development, said: "The pitch-and-putt improvements will mean it is probably the best in North Yorkshire.

"It's in an excellent setting, has large greens and numerous lengthy holes, the longest being 108 yards.''

The new look was designed by staff at the Sports Turf Research Institute in Bingley, he added.

A spokesman for the canal improvements said: "They will increase the numbers of visitors while continuing to preserve the heritage of the waterways for future generations.''

l The canal is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Skipton. It generates about £1 million each year from boating and tourism.

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