THE Walker family has begun the second part of a major expansion for the Stanley House Hotel, Mellor.

An extra 18 bedrooms and a luxury spa are to be built on the site as bosses strive to make the venue ‘the best in Lancashire’.

It follows the building of a new entrance, bar expansion and restaurant refurbishment last year.

The Walker family, which owns the hotel, believes the latest development will create more than 20 jobs.

Fred Walker, who transformed Stanley House from a dilapidated manor house to the hotel in 2004, said: “I am proud to be starting the next chapter of our vision to create the best hotel in Lancashire.”

The hotel’s 18 new bedrooms will be built in a new building next to the current accommodation.

Each room will be 36sq metres and individually themed.

Within the same building there will be a luxury spa with a treatment suite, thermal suite, relaxation lounge, hydrotherapy pool with heated loungers and a gymnasium.

New gardens will also be created featuring a lake and walking path.

Simon Glassbrook, a director of Stanley House, said: “With the additional rooms and first-class spa facilities, Stanley House Hotel can be rightfully classed as a true leisure destination for the north.

"The spa will be a world-class facility.

“We are making a substantial investment in challenging times which highlights our confidence in the hotel, our team and the region.

“We expect to create over 20 permanent jobs, not to mention supporting a number of local businesses during construction.”

Philip Wharton, general manager, said the work, due to be completed in March, would not disrupt daily business as the construction site was ‘set back from current facilities’.