IMPROVEMENTS to Worcester's King George V playing fields are signed, sealed and will be delivered by March next year.

The overhaul will cost more than £250,000 and the cash has come from a £247,000 Liveability Fund grant - national money used to improve parks and green areas - as well as donations from developers in the city.

The proposed changes will see facelifts for the park's two main entrances, off Sycamore Road and Ash Avenue, together with resurfacing and improved lighting along the main pathway.

There will also be redesigned steps with new handrails and nearby seating, and landscaping works including a new 'avenue' leading to a small garden.

The cash will also ensure there is a new car park for both the bowling and football club.

Worcester City Council's tour-ism leader, Councillor Francis Lankester, told the cabinet on Tuesday that the whole process had so far been a success.

"We have unadulterated good news," he said. "We are going to see major improvements to what, over the years, has become a much-loved but gradually declining old friend.

"Community input was extremely important and I think we have got virtually everything we wanted." The cabinet approved the lowest acceptable tender, from Wye Vale Landscape Ltd, which was approximately £30,000 below their budget.

The extra money will be ploughed into further improvements to the King George V playing fields.

Contractors will be on site within the next few weeks and the project is expected to be completed by February or March next year.