UPTON Country Park has been awarded a £185,000 National Lottery grant to enhance its facilities.

Borough of Poole (BOP) made the successful bid, which was jointly awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund.

Now the council will look to develop a second round bid for up to £1.9 million. If successful, this money will also be used to help deliver the council's Discovery Project for the Upton attraction.

This project includes undertaking repair work to the park's infrastructure, the introduction of volunteer facilities and a new welcome centre.

BOP environment portfolio holder Cllr John Rampton said: "We are extremely grateful for everyone who has supported the Discovery Project through questionnaires, events and especially volunteering.

"We would encourage the local community to continue their involvement as the project continues to develop.

"A successful round one result is a great step forward in our plans to secure vital funding for Upton Country Park."

The project will also reinstate historic pathways linking Upton House to the wider grounds, and open up three vistas - which have been lost over time - to provide views down to the shoreline and Hole Bay Nature Park.

Interpretation boards and a wide-ranging activity programme is also planned, says the council, should the second bid for lottery cash prove a success.

The round two application is scheduled for Autumn 2019.

Upton Country Park includes a 200-year-old Georgian style Grade II* listed house., formal gardens, parkland, woodland, tenanted farmland, shoreline and Pergins Island.

In 1901 the house was occupied by William Llewellin and his family.

Mr Llewellin gifted the house and part of the estate to the council in 1957.

It was initially rented to a Romanian prince, and in 1975 the park was opened to the public.

Visit uptoncountrypark.com to find out more about the Discovery Project