Work has re-started on the historic Burgh Halls in Linlithgow, West Lothian, which is undergoing a £5.2m redevelopment.

The new facility was due to open this month but the scheme had to be postponed when the previous building contractor, Hunter Clark, entered administration at the end of June, prior to the works being completed. Livingston-based contractor, Maxi Construction, has now been appointed by West Lothian Council (WLC) to complete the works, which will take around ten weeks to complete. It will take a further five weeks to fit out the building with fixtures and furniture.

Provost Tom Kerr said: "It is vitally important to the people of Linlithgow, and West Lothian as a whole, that the Burgh Halls are completed as soon as possible. "When the building is finished, it will provide a wonderful multi-purpose centre featuring heritage interpretation, visual arts and crafts, arts education programmes, events and activities.

"Schools will use it as a resource to study the long and fascinating story of the building, its links to the Palace and St Michael's Parish Church and its long-standing central role for the Linlithgow community.” Executive councillor for development and transport, Martyn Day, added: "The redevelopment will also strengthen the building's traditional role as Linlithgow's Town House, staging events and celebrations including the Marches, the Advent Fair and folk, arts and book festivals.

The redevelopment of Linlithgow Burgh Halls is the third part of WLC's three-venue arts strategy which has already refurbished the Regal Community Theatre in Bathgate and is redeveloping Howden Park Centre in Livingston.