A FORMER pub in Ulverston is set to re-open in April as a pizza and pasta restaurant, with bed and breakfast accommodation above.

The old Welcome Inn, on Quay Street, is in the process of being redeveloped to form a restaurant - which will be used during the day as a tea-room - and five or six guest rooms upstairs.

New owners Charles and Janice Allardyce, who have lived in Ulverston for the last three years, are hoping the building will be up and running by April, in time for the summer season.

The old pub, which is next to the A590 on the entrance to the town, has been gutted, and electricians and plumbers are working on it, before the builders and decorators move in.

"It's hard work at the moment, but once it's up and running, it will be great," said Mrs Allardyce.

"My husband's family own a couple of hotels and restaurants in Manchester, which is where we moved from three years ago.

"We've been running a site investigations company, but it means my husband is often away from home, and we just decided to branch out into the business he grew up with."

She added that it was likely the new restaurant would be taking on staff, but wasn't yet sure how many.