PLANS to bring one of Bude's largest redundant hotel sites back to life have been welcomed by some residents and business owners.

Developers Stoford Developments, alongside one of the UK's largest hotel, restaurant and coffee shop owners, Whitbread, have submitted an application for a 55-bedroom Premier Inn at the derelict Strand Hotel.

The £5-million investment would create 20 new jobs and includes a restaurant and bar area.

Ian Mason on behalf of Bude Chamber of Commerce welcomed the plans.

He said: "Bude Chamber welcomes the prospect of a significant building in the town being brought into use again, especially for its established purpose.

"A significant part of the local economy is built around tourism — hospitality businesses that take their place among the existing provision, encouraging additional visitors to the town and at the same time creating more jobs for local people, will contribute to the prosperity of the Bude area as a whole."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.