FAMILIES will get a warmer welcome after an application was granted to build a children's play room. By Easter, customers at the Hapton Inn, in Accrington Road, Hapton, will be able to sit indoors and watch their youngsters play.

At a cost of about £56,000, the play room is in addition to a second kitchen extension, which is due to be complete in time for Mothers Day.

Carol Bailey, 46, who has been landlady at the pub for 14 years, with her husband, Ian, 52, said: "We have beer garden facilities for children but in winter there is nothing so we decided to build a small, indoor play area.

Carol said it would be business as usual during refurbishment work take but they would probably close the kitchen for about a week and a half in March.