Renovation work of Blackpool's Winter Gardens uncovered

The Floral Hall in the Winter Gardens is the centrepiece of the £1.25m restoration work

The first phase of the restoration of Blackpool's Winter Gardens is officially unveiled on Friday.

The Floral Hall, Church Street entrance and Rotunda have been refurbished as Blackpool Council tries to restore the building to its former glory.

Blackpool Council purchased the Grade II listed building along with Blackpool Tower, Louis Tussauds Waxworks and the Golden Mile Centre in March.

Stage one of the renovation of the landmark cost £1.25m.

'Wonderful architectural features'

Councillor Peter Callow, leader of Blackpool Council, said: "It's a wonderful building but in recent times it's just not had the investment it needs and many parts of the building have started to fall into disrepair.

"[It] will not only highlight the wonderful architectural features of the building but also help us to attract more visitors to the town centre and create new jobs."

He added: "The vast majority of the restoration work has been carried out by contractors based on the Fylde coast."

During the work, plasterwork designed by renowned film set designer Andrew Mazzei in the former Floral Hall Bar was discovered.

The plaster had been covered up since the 1960s when the space was converted to an amusement arcade. It survived, along with its original mirrors, almost completely intact.

It has been restored and will be a new art deco cafe.

The work was funded by the council, North West Development Agency and European Regional Development Fund.

The Winter Gardens is open to the public on Saturday 12 February.