Work on a multi-million-pound transformation project at a historic Stoke-on-Trent market is set to begin today (from April 7).

The approximately £4 million worth of work at Burslem Market Hall - being funded through the city council, the government and Historic England - is set to be completed by May 2027.

Stoke-on-Trent-based contractors BSN Group will be stripping back and replacing the current roof (which has been deemed unsafe) and work will also be carried out on the brickwork, guttering and other external features.

Inside the building, a temporary events space will be created that organisations will be able to use in the short to mid-term.

Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "It is absolutely fantastic to see work get underway on this very popular building that has so many memories for so many people and has such potential.

"It demonstrates our determination to preserve, protect and safeguard our treasured heritage buildings and the work taking place at Burslem Market Hall and at nearby buildings, like the Wedgwood Institute, is a huge step forward."

The Grade II listed market on Queen Street, which was built in 1879, closed its doors in 2003 after masonry dropped from the ceiling and it became unsafe.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has also appointed the specialist company Phase Projects, which has been involved in market hall regeneration projects across the country, to look at the long-term role of the venue.

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Cllr Ashworth added: ""The aim is to start using the market hall as soon as possible after the work has been complete. In the short and mid-term that will be temporary uses - and we have already had a number of expressions of interest to use the venue for entertainment, leisure and hospitality.

"However, going forward we want to see it in permanent use, which is why we have brought in Next Phase Projects to help to make this happen. They have a real pedigree for coming up with exciting and transformative solutions – as can be seen in places like Altrincham."

Other work to protect historic buildings in the 'Mother Town' include a £3.5 million project to safeguard the nearby Grade II* Wedgwood Institute for future use, and improvement works at the iconic School of Art.

The council also explained that later this year, a £1.5milion package of public realm improvements will be carried out on Queen Street as part of a wider project to improve town centres across the city, paid for by government funding.