Education and Children Minister Graham Cregeen has unveiled a plaque at the pre-launch party for new multi-million pound leisure and tourist attraction.

St Mark’s Country Park will open to the public later this month.

The country park, based at the 250 acre Cordeman Farms, has paddocks displaying rare breed sheep, cattle, pigs, goats; a children’s play area and a ’fur and feather’ barn with rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, albino hedgehog and an extensive aviary.

Other attractions include a kiddies train-type ride, ice cream parlour, catering van, picnic area, two wildlife lakes and a collection of antique crofting implements.

There are also a choice of holiday lets designed to allow visitors to get back to nature - three attractive thatched roof tholtan-style cottages, a shepherd’s hut and a lakeside Arctic cabin.

For bookings and inquiries ring 825680 or email [email protected]