Spaces at Hainault Forest have reopened after it received a £7 million makeover including the building of a café, visitor hub and other events spaces.

The forest's visitor centre, café and event space were officially opened by Mayor of Redbridge Thavathuray Jeyaranjan.

Deputy council leader Cllr Kam Rai and other guests and staff were also in attendance.

The Woodland Trust's new visitor centre is the first of its kind, the council said.

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It aims to complement the renovated Victorian barns, updated children's farm and new landscaping at the park, which were also included in the £7 million project.

The restored barns now feature events space for weddings, corporate events and celebrations.

They include the new interactive visitor hub, a new café, craft workshops for local artists and businesses and new restroom facilities.

The country park has also benefitted from new landscaping and accessible parks.

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Cllr Rai said: "Redbridge is home to incredible parks and green spaces which local people treasure; that’s why as a council, we’re continuing to invest in protecting and improving our parks so our neighbours can enjoy them now and for generations to come. 

"This project is a fantastic example of partnership working after many months of planning and hard work.

"A big thank you to all our partners who’ve helped bring this project to life.

"We now have an attraction unlike any other in the capital that the local community can enjoy and be proud of."

Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure (RCL) operates the borough's parks and its chair of trustees Martin Solder praised those who worked on the project.

He said: "Vision are extremely excited to manage and incorporate these wonderful new facilities into our portfolio whilst reconnecting with the community and attracting new visitors to Hainault Forest."

Darren Moorcroft, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, added: "Our partnership with the London Borough of Redbridge and Vision RCL means the future of this irreplaceable ancient, wooded landscape looks secure and gives us a real opportunity to connect communities to the natural world that’s on their doorsteps, and on which we all depend."