TWENTY years in business is being celebrated at a South Milford hotel with record occupancy levels and a 21 per cent rise in annual room sales.

The Best Western Plus Milford Hotel has seen 50 per cent growth in room sales over the last five years, and overall business has growth by 14 per cent year on year.

The privately owned 44-bedroom 3 star hotel, situated near Selby, attributes the high demand to a number of factors including its £500,000 investment in a five year refurbishment programme completed in 2013.

The hotel’s Watermill Restaurant has also recently undergone a five figure programme of refurbishment.

Hotel proprietor Shaun Sleath said: "We have experienced exceptional growth in occupancy levels and are delighted to see our continuous investment in the property, coupled with excellent customer service and a great team, now reaping rewards.

"It’s heartening to know that this growth coincides with our 20th trading milestone and our hard work is seeing results."

Mr Sleath and his wife Jane bought the Milford Lodge in 1994 and set about redeveloping the property and renamed it the Best Western Milford Hotel in 2000.