An award-winning hotel in the Yorkshire Dales is demonstrating their green credentials by supporting the work of a local environmental charity.

Stone House Hotel in Hawes has chosen to send customers their Christmas wishes by email this year to save paper and minimise their impact on the environment.

The hotel is also making a donation of £250 to Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) to support vital projects that care for the local landscape and environment.

It is the latest in a series of environmentally friendly initiatives adopted by the hotel, ranging from the installation of a biomass wood pellet boiler system, water saving shower heads, LED lighting and sourcing local ingredients for the restaurant wherever possible to minimise food miles and support the local economy.

Chris Taplin, Stone House Hotel director, said: “Last year we printed over 2000 Christmas cards and envelopes so we are looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint and sending our seasonal greetings by email seems to be a logical step.

"The reduced printing and postage costs also mean that we can support the YDMT and their excellent work in protecting the natural beauty of the dales – which is vital to tourism."

David Sharrod, YDMT Director said: “We are very grateful to Chris, Peter and the team at the Stone House Hotel for their generosity.

"With their support we can continue to work with partners to help protect and enhance the Yorkshire Dales landscape so it can be enjoyed by local people and visitors to the area now and in the future”.