YORK based restoration specialist William Anelay has completed work as part of a £1.9 million restoration project at Hexham Abbey.

The firm, which dates back 267 years, was contracted by architects Purcells and Turner and Townsend project managers.

The whole refurbishment has created a new visitors centre including an exhibition and café, two large function rooms and new meeting rooms.

Site manager Andy Gabel said: "When we arrived on site in September 2013, the first challenge was dealing with the Carnaby building which was in need of extensive restoration.

"There were just so many features and mysteries that we came across every day and it’s all been documented by eminent locally-based archaeologist Peter Ryder and well-published historian Eric Cambridge.

"You have to be very careful working in such a busy environment. You have to ensure deliveries don’t clash with school runs for example.

"We were very much aware of our Considerate Contractor status and building the requirement for minimum disruption into our plans is a prerequisite.

"This has been a real team effort with all parties pulling together in the same direction and the end result is something of which we can all be proud."