A NATIONAL hotel group has promised to turn a North-East coaching inn into one of the best in the region.

The new owners of the George Hotel, at Piercebridge, County Durham, have vowed to spend a six-figure sum restoring the centuries-old inn to its former glory.

The hotel was bought by the London Inn Group for its Gunn Hotels and Inns brand, which is expanding throughout England and Scotland.

As part of the renovation scheme, the company will modernise the kitchen, redecorate the hotel throughout, put showers in the bedrooms and combine the two bars into one.

The hotel's menu and wine list will be given a complete revamp as well.

Chief executive of the company, Alan Bowes, said: "We want to be able to compete with the travel lodges, but preserve the feel of the place.

"I would love to take up the carpet and be able to uncover some old wooden floors or flagstones as part of the scheme."

The hotel was put into the hands of the receivers a year ago, and remained on Harrogate-based Robert Barry's books for offers over £500,000.

Gunn Hotels will have to get planning permission to alter the inside of the listed building and will also have to apply to Darlington Magistrates' Court to move the bar. The hotel will remain open during the refurbishment, and work is hoped to be completed by the spring.