A NEW manager has been appointed to run one of the North-East’s biggest hotels.

Neal Holloway took over as general manager of the Radisson Blu Hotel, in Durham City on Monday after joining from the Park Inn Heathrow Hotel in London, where he was executive assistant manager.

Mr Holloway, who began his working life as a chef, said: "I am also looking forward to getting to know this fantastic city that has so much to offer both business and leisure visitors and the people who live here."

He replaces Deborah Haines, who has run the 200-bedroom hotel on Framwelgate Waterside since it opened in November 2008. Ms Haines has moved to Bulgaria after being appointed general manager of the Radisson Blu Grand Hotel, in Sofia.