AN historic Lakes hotel hosted a cocktail party with Britain's Got Talent acts to celebrate reopening after a £1m renovation.

The Hydro Hotel - one of Windermere's oldest hotels - is open again following a refurbishment which has seen bedrooms, the restaurant and bar transformed and the main function room given a facelift.

The 78-bedroom Helm Road hotel, which overlooks Windermere and dates back to 1881, has been modernised, but retains its more historic features.

To celebrate the reopening, the Squire Hotels business staged a cocktail party which saw more than 100 people attend.

On the night, stilt and fire displays were performed by Gravity Live, while Rat Pack-inspired act, Jack Pack, who finished fourth in Britain’s Got Talent in 2014, sang live and fellow Britain’s Got Talent performers, Katy and Paul, who took part in the 2016 competition, wowed the crowd with their acrobatic act.

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Squire Hotels’ director of operations, Jodi Masterson, said: “I want to thank everybody that attended and witnessed the reopening of our beautiful hotel. The work we have completed is just phase one of our refurbishment; there is still a two further phases to come.

“We are delighted with how the hotel looks, we have worked hard to retain some of the key and historic features of this iconic hotel.”

Squire Hotels bought the hotel in 2014 and the company immediately identified the need for an upgrade, after nothing had been changed in the previous 20 years.

Stefan Rae, who was brought in to oversee the development as part of his role as general manager, said: “It’s certainly been a lengthy process but we’re delighted to announce that The Hydro Hotel is now officially open for business.

“The bedrooms have been updated as have other aspects of the hotel. We’re now excited to get started and already we’ve had a number of bookings, which we’re pleased with.”

The designer for the refurbishment was Heather Bennani of Notabox and the building work was carried out by Team Northern. The work completed is the first phase of a three phase development of the hotel, with more work planned for later this year and next, including the rest of the bedrooms and the leisure facilities, along with the outside grounds.

Originally an 81-bedroom establishment, some rooms have been knocked together to offer bigger rooms to guests.

The hotel will also be able to host weddings and conferences, whilst still accommodating the many coach tours which come to the Lakes.

Mr Rae said: “The hotel has the capability to host a wide range of events following the refurbishment and we look forwarding to welcoming a variety of guests over the coming months.”

Squire Hotels is a group of hotels which also owns Etrop Grange, Manchester Airport and Best Western Plus Samlesbury Hotel in Preston.