EAST Lancashire's only four-star hotel is close to completing a £4.5 million expansion and refurbishment which is set to create up to 30 jobs.

The Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors, last night held a special party for members of its Vital Leisure Club, which has doubled in size.

Eight new jobs have been created as a result of the £1.5 million improvement in leisure facilities.

They are part of a scheme, due to be finished in February, which includes the refurbishment of 50 of the hotel's 122 bedrooms and the creation of 55 new rooms. The expansion is expected to create another 20 full and part-time positions in the main hotel.

The development follows a £1 million investment by owners Macdonald Hotels last year, which was used to build a conference centre.

Visitors to the club's beauty spa will now be able to make the most of new saunas and steam rooms, and a Roman-style bath where the heat comes through the seats and the walls. The changing rooms have also been refurbished.

General manager Calum Colquhoun said: "The Dunkenhalgh has built up a good relationship with leisure and business travellers alike through the UK and these developments should prove an even greater attraction."