A tea room designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh has been reopened to mark the 150th anniversary of the great architect's birth.

Today the public had the chance to preview the original Mackintosh Willow Tea Rooms, first opened in 1903, after they underwent a £10 million restoration project.

The 200 seat restaurant and tearooms will have a phased opening during the summer with the official opening of "Mackintosh at the Willow" in September 2018.

It is estimated the Tea Rooms, on Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street, will welcome at least 360,000 visitors a year.

Read more: Willow Tea Rooms will complete stunning transformation with £4m lottery boost

Today the building at 217 Sauchiehall Street, is of international significance.

It is the only building where Mackintosh had total control over the architecture and the decorative elements, including the design of the cutlery and the waitress’s uniforms.

The new heritage attraction will include a gallery, billiard room and an exhibition, retail, learning and education and conference suite in the adjoining building.

Guests at today's visit included Dame Seona Reid, Deputy Chairwoman of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Scotland Committee, and Eva Bolander, Lord Provost of Glasgow.

Read more: Willow Tea Rooms will complete stunning transformation with £4m lottery boost

Chairwoman of The Willow Tea Rooms Trust, Celia Sinclair, said: "It is fitting that some of our first guests should be from the local community centre.

"It has always been our aim for the building to be used for the good of the people of Glasgow.

"The Tea Rooms, Visitor Centre and Learning and Education suite are an integral part of the aims and objectives of the Trust to educate and inspire and restore and preserve this iconic piece of Glasgow’s heritage."

Mackintosh at the Willow has a predicted annual turnover of £3 million and will operate as a social enterprise and hub for Glasgow, creating 40 full-time roles.

Read more: Willow Tea Rooms will complete stunning transformation with £4m lottery boost

Marcus Kenyon, Chief Executive of ‘Mackintosh at the Willow’ said he was "delighted" to welcome the first guests.

He added: "They have had a sneak preview of the interior and we have had a dress rehearsal for our full opening in September 2018."

Members of the public will be able to enjoy the buildings’ original use, drinking tea and dining, in the authentic Mackintosh interior and a "living breathing museum".

Dame Seona Reid said: "Charles Rennie Mackintosh left Scotland with a wonderfully rich heritage and a distinguished place on the world’s architecture and design stage.

"Thanks to players of the National Lottery, HLF has been able to support many projects which restore and celebrate his achievements and it is particularly exciting to see the original Willow Tea Rooms building come back to life so that afternoon tea can once again be enjoyed as he, and Miss Cranston, first intended."

Read more: Willow Tea Rooms will complete stunning transformation with £4m lottery boost

The Lord Provost added: "It’s tremendous to join everyone at the iconic original Willow Tea Rooms building on the 150th anniversary of the birth of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

"Glasgow City Council is proud to support this marvellous project that will tell the story of Mackintosh and Miss Cranston for generations to come."