BUDE'S new Premier Inn is set to open in 2016 and breathe new life into the former Strand Hotel site.

Work is due to start on the site this autumn, following its sale by commercial property developer Stoford, which means the hotel will remain derelict for a few more months but there should be no disruption to traffic during the town's busy summer period.

The consented 55-bedroom hotel site, which occupies a prominent position in the town, was bought by Whitbread and will deliver 25 new jobs and £5-million in fresh investment for the area.

Gerard Ludlow, director of Birmingham-based Stoford, said: "This is an exciting project which will bring great quality accommodation to Bude in an excellent location.

"We are of course delighted that Premier Inn agrees that the project represents an excellent opportunity to gain a significant presence in one of the South West's most popular seaside towns."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.