A TOP hotel is to spend £800,000 upgrading its facilities.

The Cottage in the Wood, in Malvern Wells, has submitted plans for an extensive rebuilding programme to Malvern Hills District Council.

This involves the demolition of an existing eight-suite coach house, to be replaced by a new coach house with 19 suites.

Proprietor David Pattin said that the move was prompted by growing demand for high quality accommodation in the area.

"We've been here nearly 15 years and if we hadn't been derailed by various things we would have done it by now," he said.

Mr Pattin said that although he was initially "quaking in his boots" over the cost, he was sure the move would be beneficial to the business.

Ten new jobs are likely to be created to cope with the extra workload created by the expansion.

Malvern Wells Parish councillors were due to give their opinion on the plans at a meeting last night (Thursday). The final decision rests with Malvern Hills District Council.

Mr Pattin said he hoped that work would begin towards the end of autumn. It is likely to take around six months.

"We have a policy of continuous improvement and this is a major step to keeping us on the right road," he said.

The Cottage in the Wood has three AA stars and has been commended by Egon Ronay for the quality of both the hotel and restaurant.