A COUPLE who transformed their historic home into a bed and breakfast have been named as the best in the region.

Number 34, in the Bank, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, was named the Les Routiers North-East of England Bed and Breakfast of the Year 2002.

The honour was bestowed at a ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel, in London.

Ian and Eva Reid opened the B&B 15 months ago, after they bought the Grade Two listed building and decided to convert it into accommodation for visitors to the Teesdale market town.

Ian, 59, who worked in local government, and Eva, 48, who was a lecturer, now run the three-roomed bed and breakfast, which has Georgian and Elizabethan features, on a full-time basis.

Ian said: "A secret guest must have stayed and been impressed by our hospitality, because it came as a complete surprise to us.

"We were delighted to have won the award for the best bed and breakfast just 15 months after opening, but hopefully we can keep up the high standards which obviously impressed the mystery guest.

"We want guests to feel like they are staying with friends and it is that which I think people like.

"There have even been guests who say they have seen a friendly ghost, and with the building being so old, I'm not surprised, although we haven't seen it ourselves.

"Hopefully our award and success can help to be a boost for Teesdale and attract more visitors to the area."

To contact Number 34, call (01833) 631304.