TARN House County Inn reopened its bar to the public at the weekend after a long battle to keep the premises from being converted into luxury apartments.

Friday and Saturday nights were busy with Stirton residents and people from the nearby caravan site who were pleased that a focal part of their social life had been saved.

Back in January, plans to covert the 19th century building into seven houses were rejected by Craven District Council when councillors agreed they should protect public services and amenities.

Applicants Tozer Rural Developments said it would appeal against the refusal but was met with fierce objection from about 12 local residents who wished to see their bar stay open.

Later it was announced that the building had been bought by Partington Ltd, which owned the neighbouring caravan site.

After the opening weekend, Robert Kearsley, one of Partington's owners, said: "We are pleased at this stage to have got the place re-opened and thankful for the support of the local people."

The company has already done some minor refurbishment work to renovate the bar area and toilets.

The former owner of the building Lindsay Ackroyd wanted to sell Tarn House because the hotel and bar had lost bookings and customers during the foot and mouth crisis.

Tozer Developments had planned to convert the property into seven houses.

Six of the houses would have been in the main three-storey building with one additional stand-alone two-storey house. The plans showed two, three and four bedroom dwellings with 22 car parking spaces including several garages.

Each property would have had its own private garden.