Two flagship Bronte country hotels have been placed into receivership because of cash flow problems.

The Five Flags hotel at Many-wells, near Cullingworth, and The Three Sisters hotel near Haworth are being put on the market but are operating normally.

Stuart Mackellar and Peter Holder, partners in Kroll's Corporate Advisory and Restructuring group in Leeds, have been appointed receivers.

Mr Mackellar said they would work closely with the management to ensure that as far as day-to-day guests were concerned there were no apparent changes to the business.

Mr Mackellar said the hotels had a combined turnover of approximately £1 million for the year up to June and employed 70 people.

"We haven't made anybody redundant and don't intend to at this stage," said Mr Mackellar.

He added: "I believe this hotel business can prosper due to the existing customer base which has been established over many years and, of course, the prestigious location of the hotels in the world-renowned Bronte country. The hotels will continue trading as normal and we are confident a timely sale can be secured."

The Five Flags was acquired by husband and wife Joe and Mandy Bardgett in October 2001 and a major extension and refurbishment programme took place.

The couple acquired The Three Sisters a year ago and said they would be run in tandem and be marketed together, while each retained a distinct personality.

At the time Mrs Bardgett said they were confident their investment would create hotels in Bronte country which would appeal not only to people from across the region but meet the growing demands of tourism.

The Three Sisters was originally an 1850s farm house with stunning views across the Worth Valley towards Ilkley Moor.

It was converted into a hotel in 1982 and a new £100,000 Branwell restaurant and bar extension opened six years ago.

Mr and Mrs Bardgett were unavailable to comment today.