PLANS to transform Ireland's last surviving Victorian baths have been given a £5 million funding boost from the National Lottery.
Templemore Baths in east Belfast was built to provide washing facilities for the thousands of families who moved into the area following the development of Harland and Wolff shipyard and other engineering firms.
Although part of the complex remains in use, historic features including the minor pool and slipper baths are in urgent need of refurbishment.
The £5m Heritage Lottery Fund award will go towards the total £17m cost of redeveloping the baths.
A new gym and 25 metre pool are to be built as part of the restoration project.
