THE owners of a well-known farm and wedding venue are investing £50,000 in a derelict building to create a new ceremony room.

The plans for Northside Farm, near Horsley, are part of a £100,000, 12-month investment plan.

Part of the funds will be used to restore and renovate the 19th century gin gang.

The original gin gang was used to hold a small threshing machine which was connected to the gin gang via wooden gears, drive shafts and a drive belt powered by horses, which walked around inside.

It will be renovated into a licensed ceremony room with a capacity of 100 people, and is set to open next spring.

A further £50,000 will be used for additional accommodation on its glamping site, which currently has 10 timber wigwams.

Northside Farm was established in 2012 as a luxury glamping site, and has enjoyed steady success as a wedding venue since completing the conversion of its 150-year-old barn in 2016.

Husband and wife owners Olivia and Ralph Lockey, who were the first couple to marry in the restored barn, believe the newly-converted ceremony room will be a solid investment to help them grow their business further.

“We have always prided ourselves in being able to give our brides and bridegrooms something a little more unique for their wedding, and there is nothing else like our circular gin gang being used as a dedicated, licensed ceremony room in Northumberland,” said Olivia.

“The gin gang is situated right next to the barn, so not only will it add the wow factor, it also frees up the barn a little more so our couples can step straight into their reception area.

“Weddings that are booked in before the gin gang is ready will not be disrupted by any of the work, and we are working around the clock to ensure it is completed to our high standards by spring 2019.”