Harrogate is getting up a head of steam to re-open its famous Turkish baths next month after a major refit.

The baths, often featured in films and on television, have been restored to their Victorian splendour, and are one of only three similar baths operating in England.

The painstaking restoration, which has involved removing years of redocoration, has cost almost £1m with the National Lottery Heritage Fund contributing £450,000.

A stunning feature are the mosaic and terrazzo floors laid by Italian craftsmen.

The baths, which date from 1898, have been closed for several months, and include hot rooms, steam room, changing rooms and a plunge pool.

Despite their age, only a handful of the 200,000 tiles have needed replacement.

Repairs have been made to ornate woodwork and replacement of equipment to operate the baths.

The baths have been extensively used in filming, notably in the film Agatha, which told the story of the writer Agatha Christie, her disappearance and remarkable re-appearance in Harrogate's Old Swan Hotel.

A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council said the baths would re-open on July 9 with an official opening in September.