OSCAR winner and actor Julian Fellowes will be guest of honour at the official reopening of Dorchester's Bor-ough Gardens.

Work to revamp the award-winning park is almost complete and Mr Fellowes will be on hand on Bank Holiday Monday to relaunch it.

Dorchester Town Council was awarded almost £1million by the Heritage Lottery Fund for the improvements.

Work has included the refurbishment of the Borough Gardens House, a new refreshment kiosk and toilet block, play areas and the refurbishment of the park's fountain.

The iron railings around the park which were removed during the Second World War have also been replaced.

During the re-opening ceremony Mr Fellowes will be asked to cut a ribbon before planting a tulip tree to commemorate the occasion.

The opening ceremony is due to take place at 2.30pm.

A new sculpture to replace the stolen Warwick vase will be unveiled during the festivities. The sculpture has been designed by Thomas Hardye School student Patrick Walsh.

Music will be provided by Jiggery Pipery from 3pm and the Durnovaria Silver Band will perform from 5.30pm.

Lorna Low, of the Friends of the Borough Gardens, said it was an important day in the park's history and she urged as many people as possible to go along and support the day.

She also urged people to share their memories of the gardens with her for a book the friends are hoping to put together.

She said: "I have already spoken to a number of people but I am still hoping to get a few more memories together of how people remember the gardens.

"I am also hoping that people may have old black and whit photographs of the gardens, which could be used to illustrate the book."

Anyone who would like to share their memories is urged to get in touch with Lorna Low on 01305 263430.