AN HISTORIC Redesdale hotel is set to become a French-inspired chateau as part of a plan to transform it into a wedding venue.

Closed in 2012, the 27 bedroom Percy Arms Hotel at Otterburn was bought earlier in the year by entrepreneur Duncan Fisher and his award-winning leisure company, Newton Hall Northumberland Ltd.

Work will soon begin to transform the hotel into Le Petit Chateau, a venue which will combine the look and feel of a French country manor house and a Mediterranean-style garden.

The quirky hotel will house a range of unusual features.

The garden will include palm trees, an antique fountain and a lavender field to emulate the gardens of the grandest French chateau.

A riverside terrace, extended restaurant and stylish function room will complete the transformation.

The venue will be able to accommodate up to 160 guests for dinner and up to 200 for an evening reception.

Some of the 30 bedrooms created will have a secret roof garden and hot tub for that added touch of luxury.

Mr Fisher said: “The plans for the hotel will create a venue that has never been seen anywhere else in the country.

“This is a massively ambitious development which is totally unique.

“It is an incredible challenge to create a French chateau with breathtaking gardens in the middle of Northumberland but that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

“Anyone who has visited our other venues knows how high our standards are and they will see those same standards at Le Petit Chateau.”

Sister hotel to the multi-award winning Newton Hall at Newton by the Sea, Le Petit Chateau should create around 60 jobs with the aim of recruiting entirely from the area.

More than 95 per cent of the 73 employees at Newton Hall are from the immediate area.

Villagers were given the chance to direct their questions to Mr Fisher at Otterburn Parish Council on Tuesday.

When asked if the venue would include a pub, he said: “There will definitely be a pub.

“We have a wedding booked for May 2016 but it would be nice to have the pub open before then.

“I know the time scale is ambitious but we are confident we can keep everyone happy.”

Villagers were keen to know each and every detail including the colour of the building, parking and whether the pub would sell real ales.

One villager asked: “The Percy Arms is very central to the village.

“Will the pub be open to everyone?”

Mr Fisher assured the people of Otterburn that Le Petit Chateau would be welcoming for locals and visitors alike.

“We hope to attract people to stay in the area for two or three nights, rather than coming for a wedding and leaving straight away,” he added.

Vice chairman of Otterburn Parish Council, Peter Tully, said: “I think the new hotel is a good idea that’s well supported by the local community.

“It’s nice to see Mr Fisher make a commitment to the area.

“I think it’s something that could only have good support.

“Otterburn has lost a lot of employment so to have someone coming in offering new jobs is a great benefit for the local people.

“It certainly cannot be a bad thing.

“I’m sure it will be a wonderful place to have a wedding.”