GROUND-BREAKING work on an epic project to revive an ancient city in Israel has won an accolade for a York multimedia company.

The Continuum Group has secured the Museums And Heritage Show Award 2005 for excellence overseas - one of the UK's top honours in the industry.

Continuum, based at St Edmunds House, Margaret Street, picked up the prize for its multi-media work for Caesarea Maritima - an ancient Roman city on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean in Israel.

Continuum brought the city back to life during the six-year project, turning it into a leading visitor attraction for the 21st century.

Applying the same computer-generated imaging techniques used in epic films such as Lord Of The Rings and Troy, staff used 3D animation to show life - and death - as it was on the harbour area, known as Maritima.

The use of such blockbuster technology was a world first for an archaeological visitor attraction.

The dramatic, carefully-researched short film features a fast-paced overview of the centuries - the fevered construction of the harbour ordered by King Herod, boats plying their trade, citizens watching spectacles in a Roman amphitheatre and a chariot race, or milling around in the market place.

It also shows in immense detail armies at war and the burning of the city in 1295 by the slave driver Sultan Baybars, leader of a tribe determined to sack the cities of the crusades.

There is also an interactive room where figures of history related to the city, such as Roman governor Pontius Pilate, can be conjured - and questioned - at the press of a button.

The Museums And Heritage Show Awards For Excellence are the UK's leading accolades in the industry, designed to spotlight exceptional work that goes into creating visitor attractions, providing recognition to operators and suppliers.

Award judges commended "the exceptional quality" of Caesarea Maritima, which they said "demonstrates exactly why the UK is the world leader within the field of historical interpretation".

Chief executive Dominic Tweddle, who collected the prize at a ceremony in London, said: "We are thrilled to have won such a prestigious award and delighted that both the group and Caesarea has been recognised for the extraordinary effort that has gone into interpreting such a fascinating archaeological site with a long and chequered history.

"I am immensely proud of our talented multimedia team that created this cutting-edge, epic piece of work, setting new standards in multimedia interpretation for attractions."

Since the three displays opened to the public at Caesarea, in Israel last August, the site has seen visitors numbers increase by over 25 per cent and visitor satisfaction measured at more than 95 per cent.

Updated: 11:41 Thursday, May 19, 2005