The Chief Executive of The Royal Parks has visited a local park to officially open a new visitor centre which is to be run by volunteers.

Andrew Scattergood travelled to Bushy Park and helped to celebrate the launch of the new facility which is to be run on weekends and bank holidays by Friends of Bushy Park and Home Park volunteers.

The new visiting space has been created to meet the demands of people who enjoy accessing information about the park, replacing the old information point that used to be in The Pheasantry building.

During his visit to the park, Andrew said: “I lived locally for many years. I saw first-hand the difference this information point makes to both regular and new visitors.

“Following the extension, I am pleased to note that the visitor centre is now more visible, twice its previous size and is wheelchair accessible. Many people will benefit from it.”

Robin Johannsen, a local furniture designer, was commissioned to install the visiting centre where he also created the ‘Ripple Wall’ which was designed in an image of a deer and the ‘Mondrian Wall’ of coloured display boxes.

There is also centre along with a discovery zone for children and a carved ‘Tree of knowledge’.

Colin Muid, Chairman for Friends of Bushy Park said: “A key draw in our centre is the nature displays. Previously due to size constraints we have had to lay these out on a picnic table in front of. the centre. Now we have room, we can engage with children and adults with nature, irrespective of the weather.”