The story of how a couple from the world of corporate hotels transformed their lives and the fortunes of a rundown Lunesdale inn has been told in a new book.

Ring a Ding Ding – The Making of a 5-star Inn is an entertaining and informative book which reveals how Mark and Lucy Fuller left behind the security of their senior roles in a large hotel group to stake their futures on the jaded hostelry in Kirkby Lonsdale.

Mark, a former competitive diver from London, reveals how he and Lucy took the plunge and bought the business in 2005 when the pub – then known as the Sun Hotel - was arguably at its lowest ebb. They renamed it the Sun Inn and set out to turn their new enterprise into a thriving and award winning 5-star hospitality business.

The book takes the reader on a journey through the Fullers’ 11-year ownership with all the ups and downs, dramas and joys as they transformed the inn.

Although written for a general readership, aspects of the book are tailored for people who are embarking on running a small to medium size hospitality business for the first time.

Mark provides useful insights into managing and marketing such an enterprise and one of the stories told is how he took on a lone tribunal fight after being faced with a huge hike in the Sun Inn’s business rates.

“It is not a ‘how to’ book exactly, but more about the way we approached and tackled the many challenges that face owners in such an environment," said Mark. “It also showcases the most wonderful support we received in both the town of Kirkby Lonsdale and the region in general.”

Mark added: “I decided to write the book after we sold the inn in 2016. The sale triggered a desire to reflect and share just how privileged I felt to have had such wonderful support from people who helped me to succeed throughout my life.”

The book is dedicated to the late David Skinner, a retired publican, whose inspiration guided Mark and Lucy as they built their successful hospitality business.

The foreword was written by Supertramp saxophonist John Helliwell, who was a regular customer at the Sun Inn while a resident of Kirkby Lonsdale.

Ring a Ding Ding – The Making of a 5-star Inn is published at £15 by 2QT (Publishing) Ltd of Settle. It is being officially launched at a charity event in aid of Westmorland Mencap Society on Thursday, October 24.

For more on this event and where to buy the book, email ringadingdingmark@outlook.com