GROUND has officially been broken at a town heritage site as a long awaited revamp gets under way.

In recent weeks primary works have begun at Mold's Bailey Hill as part of a series of restoration works.

The project "Revealing Mold's Bailey Hill" came about after The Bailey Hill Steering group - which is a partnership between Flintshire Council, Mold Town Council and the Friends of Bailey Hill - secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, LEADER funding through Cadwyn Clwyd, Tourism Amenity Investment Support, Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme as well as from the generosity and fundraising efforts of the local community and other organisations.

Mold Mayor Cllr Tim Maunders attended the site on Friday afternoon, along with representatives from the project's partners, to officially "break ground" and mark the start of the transformation.

He said: "This is such an inspirational project and it is perfect for the town. "Keep watching this space - you'll see the difference every week."

Eira Hughes, chair of the Friends of Bailey Hill, said: "We're tremendously excited to see the start after years of intense discussion. "It's been a strong tripartite effort and we have a very nice design."

Cllr Carolyn Thomas, deputy leader of Flintshire Council and cabinet member for streetscene and countryside, said she considers Bailey Hill to be a "countryside oasis in an urban environment".

She paid tribute to the hard work the partners had put in, as well as the cross-department effort from Flintshire Council.

Gary Williams, of TG Williams Builders Ltd, said: "I'm very proud to be part of such a historical project. "Being fairly local as well, it will be nice to be able to bring my daughters to the site and tell them what daddy did."

Paul Harrisson, of Harrisson Design Development Ltd, added: "We're looking forward to be continuing with this exciting project."

The funding has been secured for the progression and implementation of the Bailey Hill Masterplan, which includes an open air performance area, improved access to the site and redevelopment of the Custodian’s Cottage into a facility for the benefit of the community.

With improving access to the park as one of the major elements of the redevelopment, a great deal of construction work will be taking place in the entrance to the Bailey Hill.

Regular updates will be displayed on an information board just inside of the main entrance of the park as well as on the Bailey Hill social media pages, Facebook: @BaileyHillProjectOfficer and Twitter: @bh_officer.