A COUNTRY hotel which only opened for business two months ago has been awarded one of the Automobile Association's highest accolades.

Swinton Park, a 209-bedroom hotel near Masham, North Yorkshire, has been awarded four AA stars for the quality of its rooms and service and also picked up two rosettes for its restaurant, Samuel's.

"There are less than 60 hotels in the North that have achieved four star status - and most of these are long-established operations," said Sean Boyce, the hotel's delighted general manager.

"To be included in this elite group only week s after opening is a huge success for the staff and owners of Swinton Park."