A £2.5 million project to restore a crumbling Birmingham school to its former glory has been completed.
The work carried out on the Old Grammar School in Kings Norton was made possible after it won the BBC 2 Restoration programme in 2004. Repair of a nearby Tudor pub, the Saracen's Head, was also part of the winning bid and work on that is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.
The Old Grammar School was officially opened yesterday.
Canon Rob Morris, Kings Norton team rector, said: "At last, this stunning building is renewed in its original splendour and ready for use. Everyone involved has been working tirelessly for the last four years to see these amazing buildings restored and today marks a significant achievement for the whole community."
The Old Grammar School features a striking, timber-framed structure. After three centuries as a school it fell into decay and was on English Heritage's "at risk" register while its impressive collection of old books was housed in Birmingham Central Library.
Restoration specialists LinfordBridgeman put the final touches to the project earlier this month in time for the official opening.
The company's chief executive Simon Linford said: "It has been a real honour to help restore this historically significant building to its former glory. Our craftsmen have worked closely with the architects and historians to ensure a sensitive and accurate restoration of the whole building."
Both phases of the scheme have been made possible due to grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Restoration Fund and English Heritage.
Anne Jenkins, Heritage Lottery Fund regional manager for the West Midlands, said the BBC's Restoration series showed how passionate people were about looking after their heritage.
