THE building once vaunted as the region's biggest club for swingers has opened its doors as a conventional hotel.

Plans to turn the derelict Kings Head Hotel in Stanley, into The Love Shack, a club for wife-swappers and group sex enthusiasts, were withdrawn earlier this year, after fierce resistance from local residents.

The woman behind the scheme, Viv Archer, has instead transformed the run-down Victorian property into a conventional hotel, The Local Spa.

She wants to attract professionals to use the hotel's sauna, jacuzzi and steam room.

Last week, she opened the doors to show residents that they have nothing to fear. "It was always my vision that this should be a place to relax," she said.

"If I can relax here after all the adverse publicity this has attracted, then I am sure anyone can."

The bondage dungeons are no more and the saucily-themed rooms have been tastefully toned down.

Each room still has a motif, but the likes of the Kama Sutra room have been replaced with the Wild West room, the Bedouin room and the African room.

"We certainly have nothing to hide here. This is a small hotel with spa facilities and we expect people to behave here as they would in any other public place. There is nothing seedy happening here." Her partner, Rob Edwards, a plumber, aims to have the jacuzzi up and running for the New Year and most of the rooms have been finished.

The caf, steam room and sauna have been open to the public for several weeks and Mrs Barker said so far the response has been positive.

"Several people have already expressed an interest in booking the entire hotel, including a 40th wedding anniversary and a 21st birthday party," she said. The only risque element in the three-storey building is a statue of Venus in the ladies' cloakroom. "I think I am allowed one nude," said Mrs Barker.

To complete the First World War themed children's room, she is appealing for unwanted or broken military toys, such as Action Man.

The donor who comes up with the most useful items will win a gift voucher for two people to use the spa. Contact the hotel on (01207) 281765.