AN architectural gem is about to be thrust into the national spotlight.

The Lion Salt Works in Marston is to feature on BBC2's Restoration, the television series which last year gave architectural sites a lifeline.

Viewers vote for their favourite historical building and the winner gets £3.2million for restoration.

The Lion Salt works has made it to the final three in the north of England regional final.

Viewers will vote for one winner from each region to go into the final

Andrew Fielding, director of the Lion Salt Works, is absolutely delighted and is hoping to be as successful as The Victorian Baths in Manchester, which won the overall competition last year.

He said: "It is absolutely fantastic.

"It was important to us as a trust to know that a national television programme sees us as a site of national importance.

"It is obvious that people in the north west care about their historic sites.

"Voters came out last year to support Manchester and we hope they will come out this year and support Northwich."

At a full Vale Royal Borough Council meeting, officer Richard Hallows praised Andrew's work.

He said: "It's an incredibly exciting time for the Lion Salt Works.

"It is a significant achievement for Andrew Fielding and everyone who has contributed to it

"It is a credit to Vale Royal, a credit to the industry and a credit to the people who have worked there in the past and the present.

"It is a fabulous opportunity for it to become something better."

The launch programme takes place on Saturday, May 8 and the full series starts at the end of summer.

The Lion Salt Works is the last remaining pan salt works in Britain using traditional technique; unchanged since the Romans used this method 2,000 years ago.

It is one of only three left in the western world.

vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk