SURVEYORS from a top architects' practice in York were today celebrating completion of major conservation work at one of their city's most revered groups of heritage buildings.

LHL Group managed the project at The Bar Convent in Blossom Street which, it is hoped, will help to create a solid foundation for its next 400 years of religious and community service.

Details of the value of the contract are undisclosed, but it is thought to have been a six-figure sum.

The work entailed constructing a new roof with timbers hundreds of years old, outside painting, internal upgrades and the refurbishment of most of its windows.

The Bar Convent is the national centre of The Congregation Of Jesus, which was founded in 1609 as the first order in Britain dedicated to the education of Roman Catholic girls.

Today, the Grade 1 listed buildings are still home to members of the congregation, which has 54 nuns in England and 3,500 worldwide dedicated to providing education as far away as Korea and India. Several private schools once owned by the congregation, and still run in accordance with the ethos of its founder and inspiration Mary Ward, are active in England in towns including Ascot, Hampstead, Shaftesbury and Cambridge The historic buildings also incorporate an infirmary for elderly members of the congregation, areas occupied by the St Bede's Community and The Dome Community, as well as a neo-classical chapel dating from 1769, a library with books dating back to the 16th century and a museum dedicated to the story of Mary Ward.

The former convent area, which ceased to be a school in 1985 after 299 years' use, is now leased to the Bar Convent Trust and Enterprises Ltd, which runs a café, conference facilities and accommodation.

The trust's financial secretary, Victor Nicholls, first sought help from the LHL Group two years ago. He commissioned a comprehensive survey so that, as it approaches its 400th anniversary in 2009, the congregation would have a sound understanding of how to manage further conservation and refurbishment.

As well as specifying, tendering and managing all work, the LHL Group's expertise also included advice on upgrading internal mosaic flooring and revamping en suite rooms in the accommodation area.

Mr Nicholls said: "This complex of heritage buildings has survived and been added to for the last 300 years because of the care taken over maintaining them as an important part of one of England's most historic cities."

John Denton, LHL Group's director, said: "It has been an honour to work with the Bar Convent on such important heritage buildings, and being invited to manage the entire project speaks volumes for the relationship, which has been built up between our two organisations. Our work has enabled the trust to create a properly-managed conservation programme."