FIREFIGHTERS who battled to save a stately hotel have been promised a party to mark their efforts once Crathorne Hall is up and running again.

Staff hope to get the hotel near Yarm back up and running as soon as possible and want to get the doors open by mid November.

And when they do, Peter Llewellyn, general manager at the Grade II listed hotel, has revealed there will be a slap up party for the brave fire crews and Lord James Crathorne has promised to come along for the celebrations.

Lord Crathorne, whose family used to own Crathorne Hall, but still lives in the hotel grounds, said: “It would be wonderful to have a party for the firefighters who were the real heroes of the hour. It was magnificent what they achieved and I will certainly raise a glass to them.”

At its height more than 100 firefighters were tackling the blaze which devastated the roof of the east wing when the blaze broke out at around 10am on Wednesday, October 1.

Mr Llewellyn, who works for Hand Picked Hotels, which runs Crathorne Hall, said: “I had a sickening feeling when I stood and watched the fire. In the catering trade you become a family at Crathorne Hall. To watch the flames was like a fire burning our second home.

“When we reopen in mid November we will invite the firefighters back for a party to show our appreciation for the important part they played.”