AFTER a decade exposed to the elements, the Turkish limestone cladding covering one wall of an art gallery has been given a much-needed clean.

The Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (mima) has become a North-East landmark since opening in 2007 with one side of the building uniquely being clad with the light-coloured limestone.

However, the imported stone that doubles as an insulator for mima has undergone a deep clean to restore its natural white colour.

The Northern Echo:

Inside the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (mima) 

Precision Cleaning Northern Limited, a Stockton-based company that specialises in cleaning historical properties, carried out the high-pressure clean using specialist equipment.

Paul Suttill, director of Precision Cleaning, said: “I was so pleased to win this work, especially as mima is such a major building within the town.

“My business is developing all the time and I have found a real passion for working on unique properties and this is something I am eager to progress.

“The experience with mima has been great and will be a springboard into more opportunities.”

The firm has recently applied for grant funding to help towards investments in machinery and the recruitment of more staff.