SUPPORTERS of Ormiston Park celebrated its official opening on Saturday following four years of hard work.

Friends of Ormiston Park, East Lothian Council and Ormiston residents have worked together to plan and develop a series of improvements to their local park.

The work has included the removal of old and potentially dangerous play equipment, which has been replaced with new equipment in an expanded play park; the old pavilion has been demolished and a new purpose-built sports pavilion is now open for use; a new football pitch has been created; and new pathways in and around the park have been laid.

A number of benches will be sited in the park for visitors to use.

Lindsey Mainds of Friends of Ormiston Park said: “We are all really pleased that so much hard work has been completed. The park is an asset for our village and the improvements will make a real difference to local people and encourage folk to come out and meet others.

“We are extremely grateful to WREN for providing £50,000 of funding as we would not have been able to go ahead without its support.”

Councillor Norman Hampshire, council spokesperson for environment, added: “A wide range of council departments and services have been involved in the refurbishment of Ormiston Park, including road services, sport, countryside and leisure, finance, legal services, the library service, community development and the Fa’side Area partnership working together with the Friends of Ormiston Park and many local individuals and community groups.

“This is an exciting and dynamic project clearly demonstrating what can be achieved within local communities.”