ONE of York's oldest companies. William Anelay, the building conservation and restoration specialist, has begun work on one of its most high-profile and prestigious projects.

The Osbaldwick-based firm has undertaken a £3 million external and internal facelift of Victoria Baths, in Manchester, winner of the 2003 BBC Restoration programme.

Anelay, a £16 million turnover company which was started in 1747 and now employs 120 staff, 95 of them at Osbaldwick and the remainder at a Manchester base, has been named as principal contractor for this first step in restoring the building to its former glory.

Built between 1903 and 1906 by Manchester Corporation, the grade II listed baths are testament to the pride and attention to detail taken by early 20th century municipal bodies in the creation of public buildings.

The baths were in constant use until closure in 1993 and are home to the first "hot tub" in a public baths in England, known as an Aeratone, when installed in 1952.

Vernon Carter, William Anelay's managing director, said: "This prestigious building is one of the most high-profile conservation projects we have undertaken and will present a number of challenges which fits perfectly with our experience and knowledge of restoration."

Phase one of the restoration is being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, the Restoration Fund and owners Manchester City Council. Contributions for specific aspects of the project will come from Biffaward, the Pilsworth Environmental Company, the Mercers Company and the Zochonis Charitable Trust.

Anelay's, one of the UK's few dedicated building restoration firms, has worked on many prestigious commercial and private residential projects across the British Isles and Europe.

It has won dozens of awards from bodies, including Civic Trusts and the Royal Institute of British Architects.

It is one of few firms with its own apprenticeship scheme to create experts in restoring the chipped, pockmarked, scarred and scored architectural idylls of England.

Only last February, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall popped into the Gorton Monastery, two miles from Manchester, to marvel at William Anelay's progress in its £6 million project to restore the famous Pugin designed 19th century landmark.