The Chevin Country Park Hotel in Otley has been sold for more than £5 million.

The three-star hotel, which last year was given planning permission to expand, has been sold by owners Anthony and Amanda Saint Claire to Scotland-based hotel chain Crerar.

It is the first hotel in England for Crerar, which has six other properties, including the Loch Fyne Hotel at Loch Fyne and the Oban Bay Hotel, Oban.

Peter Bean of the Leeds office of selling agents, hotel and licensed property specialists Colliers Robert Barry, said: "Chevin Country Park Hotel is a highly individual and very successful country hotel business with a superb location ideal for both commercial and leisure trade.

"This in itself is more than sufficient for high level interest from buyers so with development potential also added into the mix it was no surprise that competitive bidding developed."

A year ago Leeds City Council gave planning permission for the building of an additional 21 holiday lodges, an extended health spa, a function suite and more parking.

Councillors had raised concerns that the lodges, which will have three or four bedrooms, would become permanent accommodation but were assured by the then owners that they would remain as holiday homes.

Mr Bean added: "Crerar Hotels have a wealth of experience in owning, operating and developing highly individual hotels like Chevin and we would like to wish them every success with their newest venture."