Shire Hall in Gloucester has won an award after undergoing a major transformation to turn it into an energy-efficient building fit for the needs of the 21st century.

Gloucestershire County Council's headquarters was named winner of the best large commercial project in the Local Authority Building Control Excellence Awards for the West of England.

It comes after an ambitious programme lasting more than two years aimed at reducing its running costs and making more efficient use of public sector assets with designers Quattro and contractors Kier.

Solar panels - installed by Mypower - and highly insulated cladding systems have significantly reduced the building's carbon footprint and heating bills, ensuring it is self-sufficient over the summer months.

Council leader Councillor Mark Hawthorne said: "The redevelopment of Shire Hall has been a very successful project.

"The building is much more energy efficient which will cut carbon emissions and reduce costs and it has led to further investment in the area.

"We can also work more closely with our partners in the same building which will benefit the whole county."

The redevelopment has enabled the NHS, Gloucester City Council and police to share the building, saving money and ensuring more efficient use of the building and greater collaboration.

Through close working with the Disability Network, the modernisation included disabled powered access, ramps, lifts and accessible toilets, ensuring linked access throughout the building.

Shire Hall received the award for "building excellence in the delivery of outstanding construction and workmanship".