HEATON Park Golf Course has reopened to the public after the previous operators ceased trading.

The popular 18-hole golf course, which first opened in 1912, the par-3 pitch and putt course, and the clubhouse were all closed with immediate effect on October 4.

But Manchester City Council has now revealed that Green Circle Estates have been appointed to take on the running of the site on an interim basis.

Greenkeepers have been on site carrying out essential maintenance work to allow the courses to reopen.

The firm will manage the park's golf course and pitch-and-putt, and maintain its bowls facilities, on behalf of the council.

Green Circle will operate the site on an interim basis until the end of October 2019.

The agreement — put in place following the announcement that previous operator Mack Golf had ceased trading across all of their UK sites — means that all current season tickets which run until December 31, 2018, can be honoured and that golfers will be able to purchase new season tickets from the start of January.

Cllr Luthfur Rahman, executive member for schools, culture and leisure, said: "We are delighted to welcome Green Circle to Heaton Park and to welcome golfers back to the excellent facilities on offer.

"We remain committed to securing a long-term arrangement for golf and bowls to continue at Heaton Park for the benefit of local residents, with permanent arrangements to be confirmed next year."

A contract for the long-term operation of the golf course is to go out to tender, with a new permanent operator scheduled to be in place from the start of November 2019.