An artist's drawings of a £1m redevelopment of a Darlington hotel have been unveiled.

A function suite, which will be added to the west wing of the New Grange Hotel, is expected to be completed in May.

It is the third time the hotel has been extended in less than six years.

It was opened by its owners, Bannatyne Hotels, with 12 bedrooms but another 11 were added and in 2002 a further 22 rooms were opened.

As well as the function room, another 16 bedrooms will be added on the site of the present function room.

Couples planning to get married at the hotel this year have been reassured that work on the old function room will not start until the new one is open.

The hotel was built in 1804 as a townhouse. It was bought in 1826 by railway pioneer and the first Quaker Member of Parliament, Joseph Pease.