VOLUNTEERS are needed to help maintain a soon-to-be-opened public park boasting spectacular views across the River Mersey.

The finishing touches are currently being made to Port Sunlight River Park – a former landfill site that has been developed by the Land Trust.

With wildflower meadows, grasslands and picturesque views of Liverpool’s skyline, the 28-hectare park is set to become a haven for families and dog walkers.

Wirral South MP Alison McGovern is now calling on people who want to be involved with the park to come forward.

She said: “ I am very excited that come this summer we will have a brand new park with stunning views across to Liverpool. I am pleased for what it will bring to my constituency and also for what it will mean for local people.

“A lot of great work has gone into the project so far and I would like to ask local people to volunteer and continue this great work. It will be a really positive thing for the community and it would be great to see local people being at the heart of its development.”

More than 12,000 trees have been planted on the land that was once home to Bromborough Dock, with drainage work, viewing areas and soon-to-be-installed park benches all helping to create a spot that is sure to prove popular with Wirral’s walkers.

As part of the improvements, the Land Trust have also laid down a new road surface on Dock Road North, which will offer a smoother  approach for visitors and will also offer additional parking.

Developments will continue once Port Sunlight River Park opens, with a ranger’s office and public toilets all part of future plans.

Additional land previously owned by Unilever has also been taken on by the Land Trust which means that once fully developed, the park will be an impressive 25 hectares.

Alison Whitehead, who has been overseeing the development, said: “We have still got work to do. We have still got to finish off installing the fences and the benches and we have to get volunteers but when it opens, it is going to be fantastic.

“It will offer great views across the River Mersey and to Liverpool and it will be a great place to see birds too.”

The site – which was used for landfill from 1991 to 2006 – is owned by waste management firm Biffa and has already become a nesting ground for a number of birds and critters, including skylarks.

The project, helped by £2.3m of funding from the Newlands scheme, is aimed at helping the development of brownfield sites.