AN historic hotel in North Yorkshire, which was listed for sale for at least £2.8 million, has been bought privately by a husband and wife.

The Forest & Vale Hotel, a Grade II listed Georgian Manor House hotel, in Pickering, has been sold by Knight Frank's northern hotel and leisure department.

The 22-bedroom hotel came on to the market when owners John and Gill Smith decided to take some time out from the industry.

Buyers were hotelier Jacqueline Connelly and her husband, Steve, who live nearby at Thornton-le-Dale.

Jacqueline, who has had more than 20 years' experience in corporate hotel management, has been general manager of the Ramada York Hotel, at Skelton, York, for more than seven years. She leapt at the chance to get bank backing to buy the popular premises.

"This is my dream come true," said Jacqueline, who has kept on all 25 full-time staff and hopes to add 15 casual staff to the payroll.

They will be needed as the hectic May to October season gets into full swing, with visitors to the North York Moors National Park.

It is sustained throughout the year through its food, beverage and conferencing facilities as well as 40 car parking spaces.

Jacqueline said there were no immediate plans to further develop the hotel.

The public areas, including the Garden Suite, which has restaurant, meeting room and banqueting amenities and accommodates 120 in theatre style, and the Ryedale Room which provides meeting room space or 25 dining covers, a public bar and lounge, a rear courtyard and a staff cottage were in "excellent condition."

She said: "Only 18 months ago four new bedrooms were added."

There was the possibility of developing an area at the far end of the gardens to provide further letting or self-catering accommodation or to build a house. "But that is some time in the distant future," she said.

Leigh Parsons, of Knight Frank, said: "After a short period of marketing the hotel, we were in the fortunate position of having a number of potential purchasers."