Reworking a Fireplace

Dykeward

We have an old, cold Victorian house and as we get closer to having the heating on, I am considering bringing back on stream an old fireplace.

All we have is the fireplace sized hole in the newlyish plastered wall, the chimney pipe (with outside access) and the hole in the floor level where the grate attached previously.

Does anyone have any tips as to what I will need? I can buy a grate and a fire surround, does the surround need to have the backing too to prevent too much heat being drawn up the chimney?

I have also arranged a sweep but they are not available until late October.

Any experience / tips appreciated.

Gloomendoom

Before you do anything, I would recommend having a look through Part J of the building regs... Linky