One of Cornwall's most historic lakes is to be drained this week as work begins on a £300,000 refurbishment of a Helston park.

As part of the improvement works at Coronation Park, the water level of the boating lake is to be lowered by 75cm.

This will expose the retaining walls, ready for repair, but still leave a pool of water in the middle of the lake for the birds. 

Lead contractor DA Giles will in the park from today, ready to begin pumping water on Wednesday.

It will be the first of a series of projects being carried out by the community group South Kerrier Alliance (SKA), which took over control of the park from Cornwall Council in May.

Other improvements being planned include the paths, play park and general repairs as well as making a significant contribution towards a new skate park.

Although extra funds are needed to fully replace the skate equipment, fundraising activities have already begun, including a skate competition in August and supermarket bag-packing.

David Turnbull, director of SKA, said: “The project is a strong example of what the local community can achieve when they put their mind to it.

"After years of discussion it is great to finally be able to start to make the improvements the park so badly needs and I am sure with the expertise that DA Giles brings with them we will restore the park to its former glory."

SKA manages the park as a non-profit community project, with income from the car park, café and cycle hire leases covering the day to day overheads.

Regular updates as the work progresses can be found on the Coronation Park Facebook page and the park noticeboard.

Coronation Park was opened in 1912 to commemorate the coronation of King George V. When it was originally suggested, by William John Winn, it was made clear that the park was for the pleasure of the people of Helston and was in no way an attempt to make profit.

To help cover the improvements now, Cornwall Council has given £109,005, with £81,447 from the West Cornwall Local Action Group, £52,000 from Helston Downsland Trust and £50,000 put in by the South Kerrier Alliance itself.