A HOTEL owner who battled back from serious heart problems has been nominated for the New Business Of The Year and the Tourism And Hospitality categories in The Press Business Awards 2012.

David Wreglesworth and his wife Sandra, both from York, have opened a luxury hotel in the heart of Dalby Forest in the North York Moors National Park, only a few years after he had to retire due to his illness.

Before his health problems, the 59-year-old owned the Acer Hotel, in Scarcroft Hill, which won the Best Guest House Of The Year Award in the York Tourism awards in 2001.

Yet after a revolutionary heart operation gave him a new lease of life, he bought High Dalby House in May 2010, which began life as a small 17th century farmhouse, before being expanded over time.

In the 1940s it was acquired by the Forestry Commission to accommodate its senior officers, but in 1955, it was sold to newspaper magnate Sir Meredith Whittaker, who converted the home into a large country house.

Mr Wreglesworth said: “The grounds were a jungle and there were more animals living in the house than the forest. Ivy had blanketed the exterior of the house and was growing on the walls inside.”

However, after two years of renovation to create their rural retreat, they have opened their doors to the public, with business proving popular in its early stages.

The hotel consists of five luxury bedrooms in the main house and two self-catering cottages.

There are six acres of land on the estate, with tennis courts and facilities for fishing, cycling and rambling.

The couple have forged links with local businesses, making an impact on the regional economy.

While there are plans to develop and expand the hotel, David said he is “mindful that we want to maintain High Dalby House as the select retreat that we first envisaged.”