An international design contest to raise the level of the Victorian gardens in Aberdeen is coming to its conclusion soon.

Designs for the controversial plans to transform Union Terrace Gardens have now been revealed to the public with six design teams selected to compete for the £140m City Garden Project.

An exhibition of the plans is to open today at The Academy on Belmont Street.

The six teams are Foster and Partners of London, Diller Scofidio and Renfro of New York, Snohetta from Oslo/Gareth Hoskins Architects of Glasgow, Gustafson Porter of London, and two from the Netherlands - Mecanoo and West 8.

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After the public exhibition ends, a winner is expected to be announced in November.

One of the finalists' ideas has proposed doubling the size of the gardens, making them twice the size of Trafalgar Square with an extended glass "winter garden" running along the middle to make an area for all seasons.

Meanwhile, the competition is continuing, despite objections to radical redevelopment of the area and a campaign against large-scale changes.

In November, the business case, including funding details, will be compiled and then presented to Aberdeen City Council in December. The council will decide if it is to be taken forward to the planning stage.

(BMcC)