A FIVE-STAR North-East hotel and spa resort has appointed a former footballer as its new chief executive.

Rockliffe Hall, in Hurworth, near Darlington, says Eamonn Elliott will take on the role in December.

Mr Elliott previously spent eight years as general manager of the Devonshire Arms, at Bolton Abbey, in North Yorkshire.

For the last five years, he has been general manager of the Grand Jersey Hotel, where he transformed it into the Channel Islands’ highest rated hotel.

Originally from Ireland, Mr Elliott trained as a professional footballer and played for Carlisle United before moving into spa management and gaining an honours degree in management from the University of York.

Mr Elliott said: “The infrastructure, foundations and quality of Rockliffe Hall demand the best team in the country.

“I look forward to seeing the business embrace this challenge and establish itself as one of the top culinary, golfing, spa and hospitality destinations in the UK and Ireland.”

Next month, Rockliffe Hall will celebrate its fifth anniversary.

Having started with a team of about 150, it now employs more than 320 staff.