PLANS to give Tyne Green Country Park a £1.8 million facelift are forging ahead after Tynedale Council agreed to give £5,000 towards a feasibility study.

Tynedale has ambitious plans to replace the ageing boathouse with a major new visitor centre, which would incorporate water sports, a cafeteria and a function suite.

The children’s play area would also be upgraded, and the investment would improve footpaths and fences on the riverside park.

The park hosted fairs during the 12th century, but it is now used by Tyne Green Water Sports Association, which includes Hexham Rowing Club, Queen Elizabeth High School’s rowing club and Hexham Canoe Club.

The 19 acre site attracts around 112,000 visitors each year and includes a nine-hole golf course, football pitch, children’s play area, a picnic/barbecue area, water sports facilities, car parking and toilets.

A group has been set up to investigate the potential refurbishment of the park, and Hexham Civic Trust is collating information on the history and heritage merits of the park.

The chief executive of North Country Leisure is investigating previous attempts to develop improved sporting facilities, and several potential sources of funding have been approached.