A new hand-painted wooden building at Ecology Island in Central Park has opened to the public.

Each weekend between noon and 4pm until October 28, visitors will be able to look around the building which is being used as a bird hide, art studio, outdoor classroom, dyeing workshop and shelter.

A team of residents and artists worked together in a painting workshop to produce each of the 144 panels which form the external cladding.

It was designed by art architecture company Studio Weave and is a sneak peak before officially opening next year.

Director Fiona Boundy said: "We are delighted to bring Studio Weave to Dartford. They are possibly the most sought after architectural practice in the UK and are currently working on major projects at St Pancras and The Barbican in London.

"It is a significant triumph to get these multi-award winning architects to build something for the county of Kent when just about everybody else is trying to get them, it is a real coup for the area."

Come spring, red, yellow and blue flowers will be planted around the building and a series of workshops in dyes and textiles will be held.

This will form part of the wider plans for Ecology Island which will attract birdwatchers, artists, schools and people looking to study plants and animals in the park.