Meldrum Construction has won a £12 million contract to restore a historic castle in County Durham.

The contractor has been chosen to renovate the 900-year-old Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland on behalf of the Auckland Castle Trust (ACT).

Features include an extension to Auckland Castle's Scotland Wing, designed by Niall McLaughlin architects. The Wing will be built by Meldrum in partnership with Turner & Townsend (T&T), to house a new Faith Museum, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Jerusalem Trust.

Overall, Meldrum will work alongside overall project managers T&T and lead consultant and conservation accredited architects, Purcell, together with Auckland Castle Trust's Curatorial Team, to repair, restore and re-present the Grade I listed building.

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The restoration and creation of the new Faith Museum forms part of a wider £70m programme by Auckland Castle Trust, designed to revitalise Bishop Auckland, create opportunities for training and skills development and boost the local economy.

Dave Meldrum, Managing Director, said: "We are delighted to have won this prestigious contract and are now looking at ways in which we can involve the local community and maximise the opportunities we can offer them while working in Bishop Auckland."

Geoff Brown, Area Manager for T&T, said: "The restoration of Auckland Castle is a significant project for us, incorporating both a wide range of repairs, replacements and redecoration to the existing castle, and the construction of an extension to create contemporary gallery space.

"We will be working closely with Meldrum, Purcell and Auckland Castle Trust's Curatorial Team to ensure this is all carried out in-keeping with the historic nature of the building, as well as modern regulations."

(LM)