Plans to improve Carnfunnock Country Park in County Antrim have been boosted with new government investment.

Over £6 million has been allocated under the UK government's Levelling Up Fund, enhancing the natural heritage asset which will in turn help revitalise Larne town centre through creating a space that people want to visit, live and work in.

Speaking about the announcement, Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, Alderman Noel Williams, said: "We are delighted to have received the full amount of £6.1m for our Carnfunnock Country Park bid.

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"We are grateful to the many residents who helped us develop our plan through our engagement events and we are delighted that the Council's plan and investment has been supported in this way.

"We know how proud our residents are of Carnfunnock and we are sure everyone will share our excitement with this news."

The key components of the project will include construction of a new visitor centre which will house a retail shop, café, meeting rooms and bathroom facilities, overlooking the coastline. It will also see an upgrade to existing amenity block to include a restaurant, café, shops, toilets, office, staff welfare, storage and circulation.

A 1,000m2 pump track will be developed to create a new leisure attraction for older children, as well as an upgrade of the existing adventure play and park enhancement to include a new maze viewing platform and additional accessible play equipment.

There will be an introduction of new public realm sculpture trails, viewing points, pathways, signage and an introduction of two electric points for camp pitches.