WORKERS carrying out a £3m scheme of renovations and improvements to a landmark building in Barnard Castle are hoping to get cracking again now a thaw has set in after the recent cold snap.

Arts facilities, a stage and cinema screen, refurbished library and county council customer access point are being developed at The Witham Hall, which overlooks the town's historic market place.

However, snow and freezing temperatures have affected progress in recent days.

Project manager Peter Carruthers said that during the cold snap, work to erect a steel frame for the library extension had been put on hold for safety reasons.

He said it had also been too cold to lay a quality concrete finish, so foundation work for the link building had also been temporarily put on hold.

Despite the cold snap, Mr Carruthers said overall work was progressing well on the scheme, which is due for completion later this year.