THE ancient Roman baths housed in a York pub have been transformed in a £10,000 revamp.

Pub bosses at the Roman Bath, in St Sampson's Square, spent more than six months turning their historic monument into a fully-fledged museum and visitor centre.

The baths, now renamed the Eboracum Legion Roman Bath, include atmospheric sounds recreating what taking a dip would have sounded like in the fourth century. Also on show are examples of Roman armoury, Roman mosaics and tiles along with television and touch-screen computers explaining everything about the baths.

The baths were discovered at the pub in 1929 when digging began to build a cellar at the Roman Bath.

Guest of honour at the launch was Harry Martindale, who claims to have seen a ghostly Roman legion in Treasurer's House, York, in 1953.

Pub manager Terry Osborne said: "The whole experience will be totally different. We think it is one of the best independent places you can go for just £2."

The museum will be open from 10am until 5pm. For more details phone the Roman Bath on 01904 620455.

Updated: 10:59 Wednesday, May 21, 2003