VICTORIAN splendour has been restored to a city centre street in a multi-million pound restoration scheme.

A year-long project has transformed tired-looking buildings in the heart of a once-bustling part of Sunderland's commercial area.

Foyle Street is the latest thoroughfare within the Sunniside quarter of the city centre to be revitalised as part of a £42m project.

It is hoped it will not only revitalise the area, but also introduce city centre living to the heart of Sunderland.

As part of the Foyle Street development, costing £2.4m, seven townhouses have undergone conversion to create 14 apartments.

The properties, occupying one side of the cobbled street, are a mix of one, two or three-bedroomed apartments, which will be offered for sale for between £105,000 and £200,000.

Stewart Allen, managing director for Emperor Property Management, which is overseeing the project, said: "Foyle Street was a particularly challenging development, not least because of the poor state of repair of the properties.

"Where possible, we have retained the original features and restored them, both internally and externally, and are delighted to see this famous street back to its former Victorian glory.

"Internally, the apartments are equipped with modern fixtures and fittings to complement the existing retained features of the property."

The Foyle Street regeneration was funded in part by English Partnerships and Sunderland City Council's Heritage Lottery Fund initiative.

Part of the scheme is included in a joint venture agreement with Emperor Property Management, worth a total of £5m, taking in seven more buildings in the Sunniside area.