A LANDMARK hotel has issued an open invitation to a party to celebrate the completion of an extensive facelift this weekend.

The Bridge House Hotel, opposite Catterick Racecourse, was acquired by the Tadcaster Pub Company in April and has been undergoing refurbishment since.

Singer Paula Best will be performing in the main bar on Friday evening after celebrations to mark the refit.

"The hotel was built in the middle of the 18th Century and is a beautiful building," said new licensee, Sera Froggett.

"It deserved the very best to get it back to its former glory. Now that the work is finished it looks even more remarkable and we can't wait to open our doors and meet our new locals."

The hotel now boasts its own restaurant, ballroom and conference facilities, a cocktail lounge, beer garden and a no-smoking TV lounge.