Contractors have started work on a £2.76million project to restore Felixstowe’s nationally-important seafront gardens to their former glory.

After two years of design, consultation, preparation and assembling the financial package of the lottery-backed scheme, workers are on site – and people should see a dramatic change over the next 12 months to the Spa Gardens and South Cliff Gardens.

Mayor Jan Garfield and Geoff Holdcroft, Suffolk Coastal cabinet member for leisure and economic development, cut the first turf to start the project.

They were joined by youngsters from schools in Felixstowe and the Trimleys who worked with artists to design bench engravings, plaques and lecterns as part of a Heritage Trail.

Mrs Garfield said: “It’s wonderful to see a start on the project and I know the children who worked so hard on their part of the scheme are, like me, very excited about it.”

Project manager Corinne Cappell said: “There is still a lot of hard work to do but people will soon see a difference.”