Pictured above: At the service of dedication at Pughs of Shrewsbury are, from left, Rev Tim Harwood, Father Stephen Coonan, Rev Mark Thomas, Peter Forrest (Pughs), Rev Paul Firmin, Ian McDougal (Pughs), and Rev Derrick Lander

A Shropshire company has marked the completion of major refurbishment works with a special service of dedication.

Pughs of Shrewsbury is based in historic offices in Longden Coleham, and an ambitious programme of development has transformed the building on the banks of the River Severn.

Managing director, Peter Forrest, said: "The work has completely changed the building, while still preserving the historic elements which date back to the late 18th and early 19th Century.

"We've created new chapels of rest, a new family room, and new offices for our staff. There is also a new disabled entrance with dedicated undercover parking and a wheelchair ramp that leads directly into our offices."

To herald the final transformation, the company held a service of dedication of the new chapels of rest, led by the Rev Mark Thomas, Rural Dean of Shrewsbury.

"We invited representatives from a wide range of faiths to attend the ceremony, and it was wonderful to unveil our new facilities to our guests," said Peter.

During the building works, Pughs uncovered some amazing architectural treasures which are now preserved as part of the new-look office complex.

"The work exposed some original features which date back to the 18th and 19th Centuries, including stone pillars and original oak beams which we believe were probably old ship timbers used when the building was first built.

"And now, thanks to the dedication of our building team, they have been sympathetically restored to form part of the transformation," said Peter.

Pughs of Shrewsbury was established by Jabez Pugh in 1890 and is now run by Helen Pugh, the fourth generation of the Pugh family.