PLANS have been approved to build a lecture room to complement a pub's existing stargazing facilities.

The Twice Brewed Inn at Bardon Mill near Hexham submitted a planning application to Northumberland National Park Authority to build a lecture room as a support facility for its new Planetarium and Observatory.

The National Park approved the application under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

A delegated decision report said: "The applicant is seeking permission for the construction of a lecture room to provide a tourism and educational resource to complement stargazing events at the planetarium which was built following approval of planning permission in 2021."

The lecture room will support the business' stargazing events at both the Observatory and the Planetarium and offer seating for 55 people.

The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre, next to the Twice Brewed Inn, expressed interest in sharing the facility to complement its own educational and visitor programmes.

The Twice Brewed Inn opened its Planetarium in January which has proved successful since opening.

Stargazing packages offer people the chance to spend an evening at The Twice Brewed, enjoying dinner, bed and breakfast as well as the stunning sights in the sky - and inside the Planetarium.

A series of immersive experiences are available to enjoy inside the Planetarium, offering visitors the chance to journey around the Aurora; take a tour of the Universe; learn about the science behind the Sun; travel through Nebulas; get among Saturn's rings, and more.