Work has started on Ben Rhydding’s Wheatley Hotel as its new owner begins the task of refurbishing it.

Individual Inns Ltd are extending and making alterations to the Wheatley Lane establishment.

The Skipton-based chain, which owns a number of other country inns in the north of England, plans to bring The Wheatley back into use as a hotel.

The pub closed in 2002, and was the subject of two major attempts by developers to turn it into houses.

Previous owners Punch Taverns put the building on the market earlier this year as a hotel, bar and restaurant opportunity.

A member of Save Us Pub (SUP) who fought to get the pub re-opened, says a representative of the company has been in touch to confirm that the purchase of the pub was completed last week.

SUP says the company has also indicated that the Wheatley is likely to reopen as a pub in May.