Darwen firm's starring role in TV's Restoration Man series (From Blackburn Citizen)

Darwen firm's starring role in TV's Restoration Man series

1:33pm Monday 4th February 2013 in Darwen By Jonathon Dillon, Assistant news editor

A VICTORIAN gated lodge in Surrey has been beautifully restored to its former glory by a top TV expert with a little help from a firm in Darwen.

Vanessa Ford Robbins and her partner Nik Huddy turned to Crown Paints to provide high performance Sandtex Trade masonry paint to coat the exterior of Grade II listed Longhurst Lodge, owned by theatre producer Vanessa Ford Robbins and partner Nik Huddy.

The restoration was watched by millions on the hit Channel 4 show.

Vanessa said: “We chose Sandtex Trade X-treme X-posure for the exterior of the lodge, after carefully investigating what would work best for the building. We wanted to do everything possible to protect the property from local conditions, including the climate and damp.”

She said they initially tried a lime wash but it proved difficult, with issues over the application around the chimney areas. After exploring alternatives they settled for X-treme X-posure. She said: “After checking with our local preservation officer on its suitability, we decided to apply the product – and the end result looks superb.

“We feel Sandtex Trade X-treme X-posure offers the lodge the very best possible protection, particularly the heraldic plaster motifs, which are a very important feature of the building.

“These have been coated with X-treme X-posure to preserve and protect them, and then coloured lime wash has been applied for a decorative finish.”

And she thanked Crown Paints for all their help.

Sharon Smith, Sandtex Trade brand manager, said: “We were delighted that our products were used for such a fascinating project, which was shared with many viewers on television.”