Plans to convert a vacant Cleator Moor care home into a hotel have been approved.

The former Dentholme Residential Home, on Cragg Road will now be transformed into a new hotel, following the granting of planning permission by Copeland Council.

This conversion will involve the creation of 37 separate guest suites, and 33 guest parking bays.

The developer's aim is to "enhance and bring back into use the currently vacant building", providing a new use for the building to "suit market demands for luxury hotel guest suites, serving both business and tourist users".

The demand the new hotel, described as providing "short let" suites to guests, seeks to meet includes the need for short stay accommodation for contractors working at Sellafield, as well as the "wider businesses activities" of the area.

The developer also hopes to tap into the tourist demand created by both the nearby west Cumbrian coastline, and the Lake District.

Plans for the conversion of the former care home seek to change the core internal layout of the building as much as possible.

Planning application documents add that "the proposals aim to minimise any effect that the new enabling development would have on the setting."

The site of the former care home, which had been run by Cumbria County Council, was auctioned in June last year.

It sold for £229,000.

When the plans for the former care home's conversion were revealed late last year, they were welcomed by Nick Ford, the vice-chairman of Cleator Moor Town Council.

He hoped the new hotel would help bring tourists to the area, providing a boost to the local economy.

"I have always advocated that if you want to crease tourism and visitors to the area, you have got to have a hotel or a place for people to stay," he said.

Mr Ford added that "you can't expect people to come if there is nowhere for them to sleep".

"People need a place to go," he said.

"I personally think it would be a good use of the building, and a way to see increased numbers coming to the town, and actually help with the campaign to get people shopping on the high street."

"If it has a restaurant and enough rooms for people to stay in, and therefore increase footfall for the town, it should help with the town's success."