The Jesus Centre in Northampton has been praised as one of the best conservations of a building in the country by an eminent architecture organistion.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has selected the Abington Square building to feature in its 2005/2006 Conservation sector review.

The reveiw, which features the best conservation projects in the UK, is distributed to RIBA members across the country.

The Jesus Army, which owns the building, last year spent £4million restoring the centre to its former glory.

The restoration of the former Art Deco cinema, which was derelict for several years, was overseen by Northamptonshire architects Gotch, Saunders & Sunrridge.

The partner-in-charge, Brain Gotch, said: "We were delighted to have been selected by the RIBA for this particular conservaton and restoration project."

He added: "The old cinema has been completely transformed and part of the joy of working on this project was to rediscover wonderful pieces of Art Deco design which had been covered up for decades".

"Now once again it is a stunning building with all it former glory."

The building, which used to be a Cannon cinema, was built in 1936. It stood empty for five years, before being brought by the Jesus Army in 2000.

Since opening again last December part of the building has been used as a church centre, cafe and for skills classes.

The auditorium, called The Deco, is used for church services on Sundays and conferences, concerts and theatrical productions in the week.

The chair of the Jesus centre Project, John Campbell, said: "We wanted to keep what we could and ensure that the restoration was in keeping with its history.

"But we also wanted a building that was suitable for the 21st century.

"Everyone that has worked with it and has got to know the building, has fallen in love with it".

Anyone wanting more information on what's on at The Deco can visit www.thedeco.co.uk

Source: The Northampton Chronicle and Echo