PLANNING is getting under way for the restoration of The Victoria Baths in Manchester after it was announced the winner of BBC2's Restoration series.

The Grade II listed building, which has not been used since 1993, beat nine other finalists to have its future secured with funds from programme makers Endemol and £3 million pledged by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

More than 280,000 viewers voted to restore and reopen the Turkish baths suite to the local community once again.

Sunday's show, which was broadcast live from the Tower of London, was the climax of the series which has profiled 30 historic gems from across Britain.

Viewers voted for the finalists after each of 10 hour-long shows, which were hosted by comedian Griff Rhys Jones.

Phone lines for viewers to cast their votes for the winner were opened on Thursday and closed at 10.25pm on Sunday.

Endemol will contribute an estimated £386,000 raised from telephone charges to help restore the Victoria Baths to its former glory.

The baths was opened in September 1906 by the Lord Mayor who described it as a "water palace" of which every citizen of Manchester was proud".