A BUILDING firm has been appointed to start work on a £8m project to restore an historic building.

HBG Construction Limited has been awarded the contract to carry out pre-construction work on Harrogate Royal Hall.

The firm will work with Harrogate Borough Council's project team to take the scheme through to the detailed design stages.

Project team leaders say they are confident HBG will be awarded the full contract to complete the work next March.

The Grade II* listed building is being restored with a £6m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £2m from the council.

The Royal Hall Restoration Fund is also committed to raising £1m towards the project.

Councillor Mike Gardner, leader of the borough council, said: "The appointment follows a rigorous competitive tendering process carried out by the council's project team, with support from Turner and Townsend, who are our external project managers and cost consultants.

"I know that the team has been diligent in assessing the tenders and I am pleased that the proposals submitted by HBG are in-line with the council's expectations.

"The company certainly has a wealth of experience in restoring historically important buildings and we will no doubt be able to draw on valuable lessons they have learned during other high-value contracts."

HBG is one of the country's biggest building firms and was responsible for the restoration of the Baltic Flour Mill, in Gateshead.