A Darlington couple are moving back to their home town to open a £3.5m family restaurant and hotel.

Noel and Judith McLay, who manage the Tindale Crossing Brewsters, at Bishop Auckland, have been appointed managers of the Brewsters and Travel Inn, which will open in Morton Park Way, Morton Park, in December.

Mr McLay, 55, and Mrs McLay, 52, will be joined by their 29-year-old daughter Louise McLay, who has been appointed revenue manager for the 58-bedroom hotel.

Mrs McLay said: "It has been a long-held ambition of ours to move back to Darlington, and it is such a great opportunity to be in at the start of the new development. Work is already well under way and we are looking forward to welcoming guests to the hotel."

The Brewsters and Travel Inn will feature a menu on offer all day, every day, children's menus, disabled facilities, no smoking areas and a Fun Factory - an indoor play area packed with climbing ropes, slides and a ball pool to keep youngsters occupied.

Mr McLay said: "Our aim is to provide great family fun with real value for money and the warmest of welcomes."