The boss of English Heritage has admitted she is wowed by Saltaire.

Baroness Kay Andrews visited Saltaire United Reformed Church yesterday to see how the restoration is progressing.

Work is under way to restore the canopy and steps at the front of the building following a £116,000 Heritage grant.

Baroness Kay said: “It’s an extremely pleasant place, unique of course, and beautiful. What I have been amazed by is the way in which Saltaire has adapted from this extraordinary Victorian experiment to a place which is full of life while retaining its character.

“It has new jobs, new technologies are here, the park has been restored and is beautiful and this church is in the process of restoration.

“This is a community that fulfils all the ambitions Sit Titus Salt had.”

English Heritage has awarding a further £125,000 for a second phase, which will include the mausoleum, windows and monuments.

Len Morris, an elder of the church, said the third phase of the project would include providing facilities and access for disabled people as well as the development of the lower rooms of the church to provide an education centre to serve visiting school and university students.