CAFE culture has arrived as part of a £2 million investment at Runcorn Hill Park.

More than 400 visitors attended a celebration to mark the unveiling of a cafe and ice cream parlour.

The Mayor of Halton Cllr Ellen Cargill opened the new leisure facility.

A stiltwalker, face painting and bouncy castle kept children entertained.

Halton Council says it is one of the borough’s most popular green spaces.

The nature reserve covers 32 hectares and has woodland and heathland linked by footpaths and bridleways, a disused quarry, bandstand, bowling green, boating lake and tennis court.

A project to transform the beauty spot in Highlands Road was launched two years ago after the Heritage Lottery awarded a £1.3 million grant which has been match funded.

A Halton Council spokesman said: “We are two years into a five-year funded project which provides a site that can be used for education purposes and for skills development through learning.

“We have now established a volunteer base with regular help from local people who manage the heathland and schools who attend group activities and events.”

A new car park, paths and seating have also been created.

A lakeside pavilion has been refurbished and will be leased to a model boat club.

Further renovations include improvements to footpaths, the park entrance and boundary.

Halton Cllr Ron Hignett, board member for physical environment, said: “User feedback told us people wanted a cafe.

“It is a great feature and somewhere for people to relax before or after enjoying everything else the park has to offer.

“We aim to make Runcorn Hill a destination for events and activities that families can get involved in and at the same time preserve an important local site.”

Cafe operator Danny Esposito opened an ice cream parlour at Victoria Park in Widnes earlier this year.

He said: “We are really excited with our new site at Runcorn Hill.

“The building overlooks the children’s play area and the lake.”

The cafe has created 10 new jobs.