Fire hotel to reopen for wedding

The Elan Valley Hotel before Sunday's fire

The owner of a Powys hotel which has been badly damaged in a fire says he hopes to reopen in time for a wedding on New Year's Eve.

The Elan Valley Hotel's 10 bedrooms were worst hit in the blaze, which started in the roof on Sunday at the mid Wales beauty spot near Rhayader.

Owner Richard Hydes said he intended to open part of the hotel for the wedding and reception in three weeks.

Mr Hydes said the fire started while part of the roof was being repaired.

He added that the happy couple still wanted to hold their wedding and reception at the hotel, but the bride and groom and their guests would have to stay elsewhere.

"We will endeavour to reopen part of the hotel for the wedding and reception on New Year's Eve, although the guests will have to find accommodation elsewhere," Mr Hydes said.

"The fire has caused substantial damage to the building, especially the accommodation wing. The other half of the hotel is largely intact, although there's a bit of water and smoke damage."

Mr Hydes said fire crews from Rhayader, Llandrindod Wells and Newtown fought the fire on Sunday after the alarm was raised shortly after 1210 GMT.

Hotel staff were evacuated, but there were no guests inside at the time.

Mid and West Wales Fire Service said the cause of the fire was not suspicious.