The Japanese Garden at Horsforth Hall Park in Leeds has been reopened this week following a £90,000 restoration project.

The nine-month project to restore the garden to its former glory was carried out by Leeds City Council's Parks and Countryside Service with support from the 'Friends of Horsforth Hall Park', Green Leeds Limited and Biffaward.

Originally opened in 1987, the Japanese Garden at the park off Hall Lane is a celebration of traditional oriental gardens, with various features and materials used to represent the mountains, woodland areas, waterfalls, lakes and open grasslands found in Japan.

The garden was in need of restoration so the 'Friends of' group successfully applied to Green Leeds Limited and Biffaward for funding from their scheme which supports projects which enhance communities and biodiversity. Leeds City Council also added funding and the Parks and Countryside Service then carried out the improvement works.

Leeds City Council executive member for Leisure Councillor John Procter said: "The only one of its type in Leeds, the Japanese Garden provides a wonderful tranquil environment with its diverse and interesting features, and I am sure it will once again prove a very popular attraction at this well-used community park."