YORK Art Gallery has won a prestigious architecture award for its refurbishment and renovation.

The newly-reopened gallery was nominated in the RIBA Yorkshire Awards by the Royal Institute of British Architects, and was announced as one of the winners in the industry-leading prizes.

The renovated gallery, designed by Ushida Findlay and Simpson and Brown Architects, was named as one of six winners and was also given a special category award for conservation. At the same ceremony, Simpson and Brown's Tom Van Hoffelen was named Architect of the Year for his work on the gallery.

Caroline Buckingham, of HLM Architects, was chairman of the awards jury. She said: "In the 2016 RIBA Yorkshire Award-winning buildings, we witnessed total dedication from the architects, enhanced and supported by the clients. This was borne out in the quality of the projects produced and the exquisite attention to detail shown.

"The winning projects ranged from a little gem whose understated title completely unlocked a clever and enlightening remodelling of a Victorian villa, to a new Abbey beautifully and lovingly executed over a number of years and sitting majestically in the Yorkshire countryside. Many of the projects included historic elements which were seamlessly brought together in a sensitive but simple way, expertly executed with delightful detailing."

Elsewhere in Yorkshire, winning buildings stretched from a "contemporary lean-to" on a Harrogate townhouse, to Stanbrook Abbey - a new eco home designed for a community of Benedictine nuns near Wass on the North York Moors.

RIBA Yorkshire winners will now be considered for a highly-coveted RIBA National Award.