A 17TH Century hotel is to get a £500,000 facelift after its owners decided not to sell up.

The Morritt Arms Hotel at Greta Bridge, in County Durham, was put on the market last November at a guide price of £1.25m.

Proprietor Barbara-Anne Johnson and her husband, Peter Phillips, said at the time they needed to take a break after she suffered an illness.

But now they have announced they will not retire and will instead embark on a two-year investment programme for the former coaching inn. Ms Johnson said she believed the facelift would make the Morritt one of the leading hotels in the region.

"Last year was a difficult time for us and the Morritt, but when decision time came, we just could not let it go," she said. "In the course of selling we realised how much time and effort we have put in.

"Instead of selling, we have decided to make this significant investment - an investment that will result in the full restoration and refurbishment of the Morritt.

"It is an exciting time for the hotel and we are sure our plans will result in enhanced business and improvements for the surrounding area."

Improvements will include a new cocktail bar and enhanced restaurant, major room refurbishment, upgraded conference and parking facilities, a new private dining arrangement, restoration of the bar/lounge areas, a conservatory, and upgraded bathroom and toilet facilities.

The hotel, home to a historic Dickens bar featuring a mural painted by the My Goodness, My Guinness artist John Gilroy, has 23 en-suite rooms.