First the bad news – Pets Corner in Jesmond Dene will not be open until the New Year. However, the new visitor centre and Coleman’s Field reopened just before Christmas.

Pets Corner is undergoing intensive refreshment, although the heavy snowfalls of recent weeks have led to delays.

However, a new footbridge across the Ouseburn River, just under the Armstrong Bridge, has now been opened – made of steel “the same kind as the Angel of the North”, one worker, Kevin told JesmondLocal.

Part of Ouseburn Parks Lottery Project, the Pets Corner and other construction works in Jesmond Dene are costing more than £6m. Some, such as a new entrance to Heaton Park, path work, planting and signage, will be not be completed until June 2011.