CROOME Park is offering visitors a sneak preview of a major restoration at a former military hospital.

The National Trust is offering guided Hard Hat Tours' of the wartime sick quarters of RAF Defford, which are being converted into new visitor facilities for the landscape park.

The first of three buildings is currently being restored and is scheduled to open later this year.

Long-term plans for the buildings include a shop and offices, while original features including hand-painted signs are being retained.

The Hard Hat tours take place at noon, 2pm and 3.30pm on Saturday, May 26, and Saturday, June 2. Places are limited and must be pre-booked, costing £3 (National Trust Members £2). From May 2 to Sunday, June 3, Croome is also running family activity taking its inspiration from the park's original 18th Century architecture. For more information call 01905 371006.