RAILWAY enthusiasts and historians gathered in York to recognise the dramatic transformation of an historic tea-room.

Pivovar Ltd won a National Railway Heritage Award for its work on the York Tap bar, restoring the building to its former glory.

The building was blacked out and being used to house York Model Railway before Pivovar took over and restored it in 2011.

Sir William McAlpine, chairman of the Railway Heritage Trust, yesterday unveiled a plaque marking the award.

He praised Pivovar for its work on the building, and also at its sister bar, the Sheffield Tap, and told assembled guests: “The restoration has outclassed our wildest dreams.”

Jon Holdsworth, of Pivovar, said: “We are extremely proud to have won the award and could not have done it without the help of the trust.”