THESE are the latest images of a new £2.2million heritage centre being built at Wat Tyler country park.

Basildon Council has released the pictures of the centre, which will showcase the history of the Pitsea park.

Work began in June and it will take about a year to complete.

A former munitions factory is being converted to form the heritage centre.

It will house exhibitions, displays and promotions, education facilities, conference rooms and a restaurant cafe.

Annual visitor numbers to the park are estimated to increase from 290,000 to 350,000 in the year after it opens.

Kevin Blake, Tory Basildon councillor responsible for leisure and arts, said: “The Wat Tyler project is an exciting one.

“These computer-generated images give the public a taste of how both the interior and exterior of the building will look and work once finished.

“The interior image offers an insight into how interactive and unique the displays and exhibitions could be.

“It makes me even more excited to see the work on the centre progress.”

In addition, a number of other smaller projects are being taken forward as part of the regeneration work.

This includes a new shop and information centre near the centre, providing another attraction for visitors.

Other elements of the project involve creating new reed beds with raised walkways, new trails that highlight the history of the site and developing a village green with traditional pond as a focal point.

Steve Prewer, council open space manager said: “By landscaping the area, we will provide better access to the authentic thatched cottages and recreate the atmosphere of a rural hamlet.”

Stephen Horgan, Basildon councillor responsible for regeneration, added: “The restaurant and conference facilities will offer panoramic views across South Essex Marshes and offer the ideal location and a perfect atmosphere to invigorate and inspire business meetings.

“Although Wat Tyler will remain a major leisure and cultural destination, we are confident it will also be popular with businesses.”