The Explorers Café opens on Thursday, May 1 at 10.30am Roundhay Park's popular attraction after an exotic refurbishment.

Gone are the dated, tired old fixtures and fittings and outdoor portable building toilets, to be replaced by a Tropical travel-themed eatery with shiny new integral toilet area.

After a trip to Tropical World visitors will be able to continue their exploration by finding refreshment in the airport lounge-style area or the panelled lounge club-type relaxation section while the children enjoy the benches and crayons of the jungle corner.

A plasma screen has also been set up in the jungle section to relay live images of the new Tropical World meerkat enclosure when it opens later in the month.

Younger visitors will also be able to risk life and limb by trying out the Creature Feature- a mysterious packing box which invites little hands to feel inside if they dare!

Foliage fills the windows and the café extends out onto the decking- which features two 300-year-old olive trees as a centrepiece. It is intended that in the summer a jungle-style canopy will shade the decked area.

Menus have also been updated in keeping with the café's overhaul, and will feature a predominantly organic selection of sandwiches, cakes, paninis and soup. Fair trade tea, coffee and other items will also be available.

One nice touch in the lounge area section are three portraits of explorers- including a member of the Nicholson family, who founded Roundhay Park when they built The Mansion as their home and developed the park for their garden.

Councillor John Procter, Leeds City Council executive member for Leisure, said: "The café looks amazing and will be an integral part of the Tropical World visitor experience- and a great place for a snack even if you're just passing. With the Lakeside Café due to re-open soon and work well under way to find a new tenant for The Mansion, Roundhay Park is going to be extremely well catered for!"

* Opening hours have also been extended for the Explorers Café at Tropical World- it will now be open for service from 10.30am- 4.30pm Monday to Fridays and from 10.30am to 5pm at weekends and bank holidays.

The temporary cafés in the cricket pavilion and Visitor Centre within The Mansion close this week as they will no longer be required.