Dudley Council is to restore a historically significant 18th century park in Halesowen to its original layout.

The Leasowes, a Grade I-listed parkland, was created by poet William Shenstone between 1743 and 1763.

The redevelopment work will include the restoration of the park's walkways, the introduction of disabled access and extensive planting to help return the woodland to its original 1740s layout.

Dudley Council has already received £1.3m towards the project from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

According to Rupert Dugdale, head of economic regeneration delivery at the council, the work will be a challenge as no original drawings survive.

"This restoration project is very challenging and complex as we are trying to recreate an 18th century landscape to 21st century standards," he said.

"With no plans existing from Shenstone's original design, we have had to carry extensive research and feasibility work, which has taken time."

Once a popular attraction – visitors included Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the US who was a keen horticulturalist – The Leasowes was largely neglected until 2005, when the first efforts to restore the site were initiated.