£150,000 makeover of Diana's mudbath

An aerial picture shows for the first time the scale of the £150,000 makeover aimed at curing the Diana memorial of the problems that have dogged its brief history.

Would-be visitors to the £3.6 million attraction have been turned away since January, when the operation to solve the site's drainage problems began.

Over recent weeks the government-funded "moat-without-a-castle" has appeared in its worst state. At ground level, passers-by have been able to see little of the original circular stone fountain because it has been overwhelmed by a sea of mud churned up by diggers and workmen battling to return it to service as scheduled in May.

The enormous hole that scarred the Hyde Park site has now been filled in. But the rest of the area - as our picture shows - still resembles a mudbath.

If work is completed as planned, the tide might at last be turning for the creation of American landscape designer Kathryn Gustafson. Work has also started on a new resin path around the fountain.

A Royal Parks' spokesman told the Standard that plans are still very much on course to complete by May Day.

Once the fountain does reopen it should be (almost) idiot-proof; you will not be able to slip while paddling because security guards will stop you entering the water.

And don't expect to be able to raise a glass to the Princess of Wales - because glasses have been banned. As are dogs and other dangerous, fast-moving objects.