Parks and green spaces across Liverpool are set to undergo extensive refurbishments after the local authority revealed that it would invest £70m as part of a 25-year plan to restore the city's heritage parks.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the investment forms part of an £800m budget to be spent by the Liverpool City Council (LCC) on a range of projects over the next few years, and also includes up to £1m that has been earmarked for improvements at play areas across the city. Both Sefton and Stanley Parks will be restored under the council's plans, while Newsham Park in Fairfield, Springfield Park in Knotty Ash and Anfield Cemetery will also be upgraded along with a number of other projects

Other areas set to benefit from investment are recreation, with more than £7m set aside for the refurbishment of leisure facilities across the city, while libraries and education provision will also be improved. LCC finance chief and deputy leader, Flo Clucas, told the newspaper: "This plan shows our vision and commitment to investing in the city and its residents, despite the recession. We are using residents' money wisely and investing in frontline services."