A £3.64m restoration project at Wilton Lodge Park is to progress.

The Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has said work will be continuing on the park's new bandstand, with the columns and beams already in place. This should allow the structure to be completed by April. Also this month, SBc Contracts will undertake landscaping works around the bandstand, the Boer War Memorial and Hawick Museum. These are also expected to be completed in April. A renovation of the Laurie and Henderson shelters has also been given the same time frame, while P1 Solutions have been appointed to undertake the renewal of the walled garden, and a contractor is scheduled to be appointed this month to carry out the work to the education area and waterfall walk.

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Elsewhere, SBC has said a planning application for a new café and bridge were submitted last month, with the current premises due to be removed in the spring, with works starting on the new café this summer.

Works have also been proposed for the Gilbert Davidson Fountain in the park, and consultation regarding this project will be held during the summer with work anticipated to begin on site in 2016.

Councillor David Paterson, Scottish Borders Council's Executive Member for Environmental Services, said: "The inclusion of the bandstand was vital to the successful bid for Heritage Lottery funding two years ago and it will be a great asset to Wilton Lodge Park.

"Alongside the works to the bandstand, there are a number of other projects ongoing in the park, which the project team is confident will be completed before April and will improve the park's facilities."

(JP/CD)