THE first brick in the construction of the Hall Garth Golf and Country Club's extension was laid yesterday.

The extension of the hotel in Coatham Mundeville, near Darlington, will include new conference and banqueting facilities, as well as ten executive bedrooms.

The new banqueting and conference facilities, which are called the Summersum Suite, will seat up to 160 guests and up to 270 for an evening reception.

Twelve wedding receptions have already been booked, from July 2002.

The extension, which is due for completion in June 2002, will be in keeping with the original house, constructed in coursed magnesium limestone with a riven face, and air-conditioned throughout.

Amanda Mortimer, manager of the hotel, owned by Corus and Regal Hotels, said: "The Hall Garth is going from strength to strength.

"With the addition of the new extension, we will have a total of 51 bedrooms.