The Matlock Parks Project, run by Derbyshire Dales District Council, has taken five years to complete, starting with Hall Leys, followed by Derwent Gardens, Lovers Walk and finally High Tor.

The district council hope through the £3.5 million refurbishment visitors will be encouraged to stay longer in the area, spend more, help keep the local economy booming and create job opportunities.

Parks Project manager, Alison Baker, said the restoration had been very successful and had received significant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

She added: "It has definitely been worth all the hard work and it is really satisfying to see what we have achieved."

Alison said some of the key aims had been establishing pedestrian access between each park, restoring the role of the river and promoting natural habitats.

She added that the Dales scenery is a key factor in attracting people to the area and Lovers Walk and High Tor are set to make the final jewels in the tourist trail crown.

Lovers Walk is believed to be the oldest surviving example of a public pleasure ground and its woodlands and river side walks form significant ecological habitats.

Work to the park has included refurbishing bandstands and repairing footpaths. A new play area, with a wooden pirate ship, has also been constructed and funded by Matlock Bath Parish Council.

High Tor's dramatic and prominent landscape has been revived, with work to restore heritage features, thin vegetation and installing new seats and lighting.

Alison said: "Completing a project always feels really good and there have been a lot of tying up of loose ends.

"Everything has been finished in time and in budget and we have had a lot of very positive feedback."