THE York Centre for Early Music has scooped a top national award.

The centre beat off stiff competition to win the Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Award for Conservation.

Centre director Delma Tomlin said: "It's absolutely fantastic.

"This building was in a very sad state when we first looked at it in 1996.

"Now it's a firm part of the community and brings joy to a lot of people."

The award was established to encourage and recognise outstanding achievement in the field of conservation and the enhancement of the built and natural environment.

The centre, a Grade I listed building, was created with the aim of providing a focal point for the study and performance of early music, and a home for the internationally-acclaimed York Early Music Festival.

It was opened in April 2000, after £2 million was spent converting it from St Margaret's Church.

The decision to use an existing church building of architectural merit provided not only a centre for the charity which organises the festival, but also a boost to the local environment through the restoration and regeneration of the previously rundown area.

In consultation with English Heritage, extensive sensitive restoration of the fabric of the building was necessary before it could be adapted for its new use.

The main body of the church was left for performance and recording, while a new building housing rehearsal rooms, administration and catering facilities was built, linked to the church.

The single-story building reflected the architectural style of the church and used part of an existing boundary wall.

Funded by the National Lottery, the project has created a performance and recording centre, with state-of-the-art acoustics and soundproofing that is attracting the attention of musicians from all parts of the UK and abroad.

RICS president Peter Faulkner, said: "This is a project that sums up all that is best in building conservation.

"Not only has an important architectural building been saved for future generations to enjoy, but also the building is being used positively for the enjoyment of every one.

"It is a great pleasure to see a project that is providing a focus for a performance art, attracting visitors and putting something back into the community."

Updated: 11:47 Friday, February 15, 2002