A POPULAR Wear Valley Hotel celebrated its 20-year anniversary last week.

Helme Park Hall Hotel, near Crook, opened on June 7, 1987. To celebrate, hotel staff invited old and new customers, along with Sedgefield and Wear Valley district councils, to an open day that included a tour of the hotel and lunch at its Elgees Restaurant.

Ray Hodgson, hotel manager, said: "It has been a great day and I have enjoyed seeing a mixture of both old and new customers.

"The hotel has always been a popular port of call for visitors to County Durham, and for those going up to Northumberland or Scotland.

"We realised that the 20-year milestone of Helme Park Hall being a hotel was a special occasion, so thought it would be nice to invite some of our long-term customers."

Steve Reed, from Steve Reed Tourism, which organised the event, said: "It has been a very enjoyable day with a fantastic turnout.

"This hotel has some of the best views in the North-East and I have no doubt that its popularity will last another 20 years."

Cyril Marr, 78, from Crook, has been a customer since the hotel opened.

"I wouldn't go anywhere else on a Saturday night," he said.

"It's a lovely hotel with a great atmosphere and I have met many good friends here over the past 20 years."

To contact Helme Park Hall Hotel, call 01388-730-970 or visit www.helmeparkhotel.co.uk