THREE historic rooms at a top Harrogate hotel have been given a makeover by a Knaresborough company as part of a £5 million refurbishment.

The Old Swan Hotel in Swan Road, which dates back to 1840, is famous for being the hotel where novelist Agatha Christie was found after going missing when losing her memory.

Another of its famous guests was the father of communism, Karl Marx. Specialist furniture provider Acanthus, from Old Scriven, in Knaresborough, was commissioned to bedeck the Wedgwood Room, Library Restaurant and Library Cocktail Lounge with custom- made tables and chairs using specially-woven fabrics and high-quality materials.

Hope Varnes, marketing manager at Acanthus, said: "The Old Swan project had given Acanthus a great challenge and opportunity to do work locally."

Paul Gill, general manager of the Old Swan Hotel, said the furnishings were part of a massive investment intended to make the hotel one of the finest places to stay in the area.

The refurbishment of the hotel's 136 bedrooms, eight conference suites and re-building of the spectacular Garden Room is due to be completed early next year.

Acanthus is also furnishing the Swan Lounge - which is due to re-open in the next couple of weeks - as well as ten bedroom suites which will be completed by February 2006.

Updated: 11:13 Wednesday, November 16, 2005