A 16th-century hotel has notched up a hat-trick of accolades for its brilliant breakfasts.

The Stirk House Hotel in Gisburn has been given an award by Visit England for providing one of the best early starts in the country.

The hotel offers a wide range of breakfast options from a full English through to a continental offering via eggs Benedict.

The 32-bedroom business was taken over 11 years ago by Denise Sinclair and her family and welcomed a new head chef, Chris Dobson, in 2007.

Mrs Sinclair, the manager, said: “We are all very proud of what we have managed to achieve over the last 11 years.

“The food is such an important part of what the hotel offers and I hope it leaves a lasting impression on our guests.

“Having breakfast is the last thing that people do here before leaving at the end of their stay and we take great pride in making sure it’s the best we can make it.

“It’s a menu that we have been changing and improving for many years now and it’s something that will never be completed.”

The hotel underwent a major refurbishment three years ago.

A spokesman for Visit England said: “Breakfast awards are only given to those places where the owners, chefs and staff have gone the extra mile to ensure breakfast will exceed expectations.”