THE public can once again enjoy a jewel in Colchester’s crown which has long been plagued by drunken and antisocial behaviour.

The grounds of St Botolph’s Priory, an area which has been a magnet for drinkers, drug users and vandals for decades, has re-opened after an £85,000 facelift by Colchester Council.

Lyn Barton, councillor responsible for regeneration, said the three-month project had already resulted in people visiting the priory for a picnic or to relax and enjoy their lunch.

She added: “This area is a tranquil oasis in the centre of town. The antisocial behaviour, which marred this key tourist attraction, has diminished following more regular patrols and a zero-tolerance policy.

“We intend to continue the patrols, but, as the area has been closed during the improvements, the antisocial element seems to have moved elsewhere.”

Howard Davies, the council’s town centre project manager, said changes included cleaning the war memorial and moving it to the churchyard, where there are more benches for people to sit on.

He added: “We have taken two benches out which were to the east of the priory, which is where the drinking and antisocial practices went on.”

New footpaths link Priory Street with the 11th-century Augustinian priory, and St Julian Grove to the area between the priory and the neighbouring church.

Trees have been pruned and, in some cases, felled, while the cutting back of some shrubs revealed previously unseen gravestones, which are being researched.

Mr Davies said more regular patrols from police and council street wardens, combined with the increased popularity of the grounds, would stop the return of drunken vandalism.

He added: “We’ve worked closely with the police and our street wardens. They’ve said they will endeavour to pop in there more often than they did before. If we can get people to go in there and have a lunch break or take their children down there and have a picnic, then that just builds on itself.”

The council is now working on trying to bring the return of open-air theatre performances to the priory, involving groups such as the Priory Players.

A heritage day is also set to take place in the grounds this month.