A ‘PICNIC in the Park’ will take place at the Countess of Chester Country Park following the success of last year’s event.

It will take place on Saturday (August 3) between 11am and 3pm.

Andy Scargill, chair of the Friends of the Countess of Chester Country Park, said: “Following on from our recent successes in the Land Trust Awards and retaining our Green Flag status, this year will see us championing the environment.

“The aim is to make the event as single-use plastic free as possible and, with the help on Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chester Friends of the Earth, to focus on recycling wherever we can.

“Visitors will also be able to see the progress we have made across our site which has improved biodiversity by creating new wildlife habitats and restoring existing ones.”

There will be a wide variety of interesting stalls including: NW Bee Keepers, Chester Zoo Safari Ranger, Supertrees, Weavers & Spinners Guild, Bring & Buy Plants, Repair Café, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Transition Chester and Chester Cycling Campaign.

There will also be lots of free activities to suit all ages, including wildlife spotting with experts from Cheshire RECORD, making foliage crowns and decorations with Cowslip Studio, Willow & Wool Weaving, Nordic Walking, MOWMOW Rock Painting and the SUSTRANS Smoothie Bike.

Mr Scargill said: “We are also using this opportunity to launch the Land Trust Green Angels Project which will take place over the Autumn.

“The park and the footpaths within it offer many opportunities to wander through wonderful green spaces right on the doorstep of Chester. So, pack up a picnic and bring it along but don’t forget to leave a bit of space for an ice cream from the Hyacinth vintage ice cream van!”

He added: “Over the last year we have worked hard to improve what the park has to offer and its been heartening to see so many more visitors. We hope that Picnic in the Park will encourage new people to discover it and enjoy it as much as we do.”

The park can be accessed from Countess Way opposite the Little Owl although there are other access points scattered around its perimeter.

Parking is free and to supplement the normal car park, there will be additional spaces nearby although it is very walkable from the north side of the city. The Countess of Chester Country Park, which is owned by the Land Trust charity, is for everyone to enjoy and this is a free event.