VISITORS will today receive a brief glimpse of a grand old civic hall as it is brought back to its former glory in a £3.5m restoration.

The Exchange Buildings, dating from 1814, served among other things as Sunderland's first town hall at the time Queen Victoria acceded the throne.

But after standing derelict for a long period, the Grade II-listed building, in High Street East, has undergone a full-scale refurbishment over the past eight years.

Phase II of the project by The North-East Civic Trust, is now nearing completion, and the building is to be officially reopened later in the year as an arts venue, complete with restaurant.

But as part of a month-long celebration of Sunderland's heritage, it will be opened for a tour and talk today, at 2pm.