DRINKERS at a Great Harwood pub can now enjoy a pint in new surroundings thanks to a £50,000 refurbishment.

The Royal Hotel, on Station Road, finished the first stage of its renovation after its new bar was relocated within the pub.

The mammoth task has seen the bar move to the opposite end of the pub.

Peter Booth, owner, said he had done the majority of the work himself and that it had taken months to complete.

With the first stage out of the way he can now concentrate on finishing the pub's showpiece cellar, which will allow drinkers a view of the beer handling process, and the new entertainment room.

Peter said: "I work full time at an engineering firm during the week, so it's taken a long time to complete."

The new bar was given the seal of approval by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) after the group used it to present a cheque to a number of Hyndburn charities. The money --£800 -- came from the Accrington Beer Festival that was held in the Town Hall in June and was given to the Hyndburn Mayoral Charity Fund.

It will help a number of charities including Broadfield School and White Ash School, in Oswaldtwistle, Macmillan Nurses and Parents Aid to the Handicapped, a Hyndburn charity that helps parents with the cost of bringing up handicapped children.