A ground breaking ceremony has been held to mark the start of work on a multi-million pound refurbishment of Barking Park, East London.

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) has chosen Hertfordshire-based Borras Construction to deliver the project, which has started with the creation of a new eastern car park. Next to the car park will be a new council depot, which will replace an existing facility in the centre of the park due to make way for a visitors' centre and a café.

Other plans include grassing over an existing car park next to the lido - to be returned to use as a wet play area; the replacement of fencing; the creation of a new children's play area; and a new boat house. LBBD cabinet member for culture and sport Bert Collins said: "By moving the council depot and the eastern car park to the edge we can take a lot of vehicles out of the centre of the park.

"This will make it a more attractive place once the visitors' centre and other attractions are completed." LBBD has contributed funding towards the park refurbishment, along with a £3.245m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.