YOU may have noticed the new tourist signs dotted across the town directing people to an historical gem nestled in one of the borough’s most beautiful parks.

There will be special celebrations this weekend at the Mansion House, which will see the unveiling of a revamped venue.

The largest function room at the Victorian building in Victoria Park is to be renamed the Diamond Suite.

Mayor of St Helens, Tom Hargreaves, was due to unveil a plaque to mark the latest phase in a campaign by Age UK Mid Mersey to invest in its buildings for future growth.

Following the opening ceremony the public are invited to see for themselves the spruced-up venue.

The space will be open from 2pm to 8pm on Friday and on Saturday from midday to 4pm.

They will also be able to see the restoration plans for Victoria Park following the award of more than £4 million in funding from the Heritage Lottery, the Big Lottery Fund and Parks for People Programme.

Philip Longworth, chief executive of Age UK Mid Mersey said the council, Age UK and the Friends of Victoria Park had worked tirelessly to make the park a major tourist attraction.

He said: “However many people are still unaware of the jewel that the Mansion House and the park represent. Hopefully the new brown tourist road signs will help to guide many more to this wonderful facility.”

The funding will provide projects including the demolition and rebuilding of the orangery, refurbishment of the Victorian walled garden and fountain, a makeover of the gate lodge at the St Mark’s entrance to the park, refurbishment of the folly, pond, rose garden, tennis courts, the building of a bandstand and general landscaping.

The new Diamond Suite was named to mark the Queen’s Jubilee, and continues the royal history of the park, renamed Victoria Park from Cowley Hill Park by Queen Victoria in her jubilee year. The fountain in the walled garden of the Mansion House was a gift from Victoria.