Camden Council will start a £1.4m refurbishment of Russell Square, the largest public square in London on 3rd September 2001. The Square will be restored to the original 18th century Sir Humphrey Repton design.

Sir Humphrey (1752-1818) succeeded Lancelot "Capability" Brown as head gardener at Hampton Court and went on to become the leading landscape gardener and designer of his day.

While the major overhaul is carried out, the square will be closed to the public for six months until Spring 2002. Speaking about the works Martin Stanton, Camden's head of parks and opens spaces, said: "Russell Square will look superb once the work has been completed. Because the project involves major landscaping and excavation, we have no choice but to close the square for a temporary period.

"We have tried to minimise the disruption to park users by leaving the closure until the end of the summer and would ask people to bear with us. Once they experience the square restored to its former glory I am sure they will see that it has been worth it."

The work will include replacement of railings and gates, a spectacular fountain in the centre of the square. Detailed plans for the square will be displayed on notice boards at the north and south ends of Russell Square.

When it opens again, the square will have a full time attendant and a permanent gardener on site five days a week.

To hear Glenda Jackson reading an extract from Virginia Wolf's diary about Russell Square click here