THE original Victorian roof space of one of the region’s leading galleries has been opened up for the first time in 60 years as part of an £8m development.

The wooden roof work of York Art Gallery was concealed between 1945 and 1952 to create a more controllable environment in which to show works of art.

But now contractors have removed the false ceiling to once again show the full extent of the roof space, which will become part of the Centre for British Studio Ceramics when the refurbished gallery opens in spring 2015.

The chief executive of York Museums trust, Janet Barnes said: “It is a fantastic space and it will make a dramatic impact to visitors when they first walk in to the new look gallery when we reopen.”

The roof space was part of the original Victorian building which opened in 1879 for the second Yorkshire Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition, inspired by the Great Exhibition in London of 1851.

The space will be converted into a mezzanine gallery which, along with a new first-floor South Gallery, will become the Centre for British Studio Ceramics.

The £8m development will also create a suite of three galleries on the ground floor to show more ambitious and high profile exhibitions.

There will also be increased learning space and a new art gallery gardens, which will link to the existing York Museum Gardens.

The gallery closed last December for the work which should be finished next Easter.