A FIVE-STAR hotel in the region is to invest £200,000 in refurbishment work.

Renovation of the Old Hall at Rockliffe Hall Hotel, in Hurworth, near Darlington, will begin in January.

It will include a revamp of the hotel’s main restaurant, The Orangery, with new atwork, furniture and lighting.

Bosses hope about 20 jobs could be created as a result of the work, which will see the restaurant’s capacity increased.

Managing director Nick Holmes said: “This is a substantial investment, which is creating new options for our guests, new jobs for people in the region and new opportunities for us as a consistently growing business.”