BURNLEY Council has announced a series of holiday improvements at one of its award winning parks.

Visitors to Thompson Park, off Ormerod Road, can take advantage of the changes over the Easter holiday weekend. Council officials are hoping the warm Spring sunshine will help draw in visitors.

For the first time in a number of years refreshments will be available from the outdoor cafe at the boathouse and the kiosk, which overlooks the lake, will be serving drinks and snacks. The rowing boats will be available during every day of the Easter holidays from noon to 6pm and later if the weather permits.

After Easter the boating lake will open every weekend, bank holiday and school holiday through the summer.

And budding golfers can try out the park's nine hole putting green. A new miniature railway, built by members of Burnley and Pendle Miniature Railway Society, has also helped the park to get back on track.

Simon Goff, the council's parks services manager, said: "Thompson Park is a great day out for the whole family over the Easter holidays.

"Park visitors have been requesting cafe facilities for a long time and I am pleased the cafe will now be open on a regular basis.

"The council is working with the Friends of Thompson and Queens Park to protect and improve both of these parks and I hope we will be able to make further improvements in the future."

The council has also refurbished a childrens' paddling pool in the park which will provide a handy cooling off point during the warm weather.