ONE of the top hotels in Teignbridge is to undergo a £2m revamp after being snapped up by a leading UK operator.

The luxury boutique chain Eden Hotel Collection has bought the 64-bedroom Bovey Castle estate for an undisclosed sum.

And company bosses immediately announced ambitious plans to overhaul the award-winning North Bovey country house venue, which boasts an 18-hole championship golf course.

The deal comes just two months after the company revealed a £13.5m planned investment in the 35-bedroom Tides Reach Hotel in Salcombe which will be redeveloped to create a 50-bedroom luxury beachfront hotel and spa.

Eden managing director Mark Chambers said he was thrilled by the opportunity to restore the former Manor House Hotel, near Mortetonhampstead, to its former glory and to re-establish it as the principal resort in the south west.

He confirmed that about £2m will be spent on renovation and improvements. 'Bovey Castle is a key acquisition for the group and will add to our existing properties in Somerset, Kingsbridge and now Salcombe. It establishes us as a major force in the hotel and tourism sector across the region,' he declared.

He added: 'Restoring this iconic hotel and its estate is an exciting project for our team. This famous property has a national and international reputation for excellence and we are very much looking forward to cementing its place as the jewel in the crown of the leisure industry in the south west.'

Eden's parent company, The Rigby Group plc, has strong regional business links through its ownership of Exeter Airport, British International Helicopters at Newquay and SCC, the international technology company.

Mr Chambers said a 'core value' of his company was to integrate into the community, building links with local businesses, suppliers and people.

'The group is keen to make a positive impact on the local economy in Devon and the surrounding area,' he said.