The family fun day on Saturday was organised by Parkway Residents'/Community Association to mark the completion of a £58,000 renovation of the pond and surrounding playing fields.

It was opened by Miranda McCoy of the Big Lottery Fund, the organisation that awarded the funding for the improvements scheme through the People's Millions TV show, screened on Anglia TV in November 2006.

The day included a host of amusements and entertainment, including a dog agility show, music from Haverhill Youth Band, a martial arts exhibition and dance performances by Colette's Entertainment School.

The organisers of Kedington's Meadowlark also helped out by providing some sideshows and games for the day.

Association secretary, Denise Moulds, said: "Everybody who came up said how nice it looked and what a nice area it was.

"I think all in all it went off pretty well."

St Edmundsbury Council's portfolio holder with responsibility for parks, Cllr Lynsey Alexander, MP Richard Spring and Haverhill mayor Les Ager and a cameraman from Anglia TV also attended the fun day.

Since winning the Big Lottery funding, the Newt Pond has been enlarged and had new fishing platforms introduced, new fencing, pathways and landscaping installed and an amphitheatre created.