An £18m restoration project is to begin on The Winter Gardens in Great Yarmouth

The tourist attraction has been closed since 2008 but contarctors have now been appointed to start work on the first phase of the project to restore the venue, which Great Yarmouth Borough Council hopes will be ready reopen in 2028.

Carl Smith, from the council, says "We are determined to ensure we have a nationally and internationally significant landmark building that is at the heart of Great Yarmouth's life, economy and historical legacy."

The Winter Gardens building is the last surviving Victorian glasshouse on a seaside promenade in the UK, and has been on Historic England's heritage at risk register because of it's current state.

A contractor has been appointed to undertake the first phase of £18m restoration works on a listed seafront landmark.

The Winter Gardens in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, has been on Historic England's heritage at risk register due to its deteriorating condition, and is the last surviving Victorian glasshouse on a seaside promenade in the United Kingdom.

The money for the project is using £12.3m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £6m from the Government's UK Towns Fund, plus a £500,000 grant from Historic England.