Laing Traditional Masonry is to begin a major restoration project on the Shetland Islands.

The specialist contractor has been appointed to carry out over £1 million of refurbishment work at the Town Hall in Lerwick.

Project managers from Shetland Amenity Trust met with the company last week to agree final plans, including timescales and working arrangements. Work to set up scaffolding allowing access to the external stonework and stained glass windows will now begin next week.

The majority of the scheme will take place on the outside of the building and on the first floor of the Town Hall. Works include restoring stained glass windows and replacing some stonework, as well as tracery, which has deteriorated in recent years and is now leading to movement in some of the historically important windows. Damp patches have also appeared on the internal walls as water permeates through the stonework, causing paint to flake.

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Once the windows are removed, specialist stained glass conservators Cannon MacInnes will start restoration work. External funding for the development has been secured from Historic Scotland (£233,855) and the lead consultant will be Groves-Raines Architects.

Cllr Cecil Smith said: "The Town Hall is Shetland's most important civic building and it is of course right that we act to preserve it for future generations. I am pleased to see the work starting soon, and led by a contractor with considerable experience in this type of specialist work. The closure of the main hall is unfortunate but it's essential to allow the work to be carried out on the stained glass windows and stonework."

As part of the project, Shetland Amenity Trust will also include more interpretation of the building and its history to improve the offering to tourists. The overall refurbishment is expected to last until the mid-2017.

(LM/CD)