A £5million cash injection will transform a country park into a regional tourist attraction, it was claimed today.

Around half the cash will be used to turn a former explosives factory at Wat Tyler Country Park into a visitor centre powered by renewable energy.

It will house exhibitions, conference and sports facilities, a cafe, a restaurant and platforms to view the marshes.

In February, the Echo revealed plans were afoot for a centre where people could learn about the history of the park.

The remainder of the cash will be used for other improvements, including: l Creating a regional headquarters for the Royal Society for Protection of Birds l Adding new reed beds with walkways l Adapting World War Two pillboxes as bat habitats l Planting an eco-garden demonstrating how visitors can use gardens to help the environment l A new historical trail, tracing the park's history as an explosives factory l New craft shops l Improved car parking for disabled visitors l Extending the miniature railway l Improving the marina, including new toilets.

Funding for the project comes from the East of England Development Agency, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Veolia ES Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust.

Tony Hedley, Basildon Council's cabinet member for open space, said: "We are delighted that our ambitions for Wat Tyler Country Park have been brought to life by the hard work of all partners involved."

The project is expected to increase visitor numbers to the park from an average of 200,000 a year to 350,000 within three years of completion.

The improvements are expected to take around 18 months to complete.