A CONVERSION project, in which an old stable block has been given a new lease of life, is in line for a top enterprise award.

The listed building at Aske Hall, near Richmond, was empty until it was redesigned as small business units, which opened last year.

Today, a dozen firms are based there, employing 70 people.

The development has been nominated as a finalist in the first Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' Yorkshire Awards.

The project was led by Rural Solutions, a company which was commissioned by Lord Ronaldshay - son of the estate owner, Lord Zetland.

The overall winners will be announced at a ceremony in Leeds, on September 7.

l Mhairi Mercer from the Zetland estates, pictured, celebrates with some of the companies which have moved into the Aske stables. From left, they are Louise Rhodes, Richard Howe and Neil Mclachlan, of Askaris; Mark Aked and Dave Robinson, of Ortia, and Sue O'Halloran, Jon Buckley and Bill O'Halloran, of Phone Control