RICHMOND'S Georgian Theatre Royal has won a major international award following its £1.4m restoration.

The eighteenth century building receives the Building Conservation Award at the 2004 Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Awards gala event in London today. It was shortlisted for the award in January.

Theatre trustees were praised for the sympathetic and detailed approach to the restoration of the landmark venue.

Lady Crathorne, chairman of the trustees, will travel to London to receive the award.

The theatre reopened a year ago after extensive building work which included the replacement of a Sixties' extension with a new wing and a bar, toilets, dressing rooms and community meeting spaces.

Award judges were impressed that authenticity played such a large role in the project.

One of the most difficult issues was to identify the best decorative scheme for the auditorium.

Information was gathered from Bristol University's theatre collection, evidence from other theatres on the same circuit, and various publications dating back to the early nineteenth century.

Simon Pott, chairman of the judges, said: "This is a truly stunning building.

"What we can see today captures all the character of the eighteenth century while embracing the needs of the twenty-first century, thus ensuring its future survival for all to enjoy."

Vaughn Curtis, manager of the Georgian, said: "We are as pleased as Punch.

"The award is a tribute to the work that so many people have done and an indication of the importance of the theatre internationally and nationally as well as regionally.

"It was fabulous to be nominated, but to win it is just incredible."

This year's awards attracted more than 160 entries from around the world.

Prizes were presented by Kevin McCloud of Channel 4's Grand Designs.