A DERELICT building on the Market Place is set to become a hotel - and work should get underway next year.

The former Red Lion pub has been earmarked for conversion into a hotel after discussions between Copeland councillors and the site's owner.

And Lena Hogg, deputy mayor of Copeland and Egremont Town Council chairwoman, revealed work is planned to go-ahead in 2017.

The move has been welcomed by the town council and comes as part of a crackdown on dilapidated buildings.

"We'd all like to see a tidy Egremont for the anniversary Crab Fair next year," said Lena Hogg, chairwoman of Egremont Town Council.

"If we have a hotel I'm sure it'll bring trade to the shops in the town, especially at Crab Fair time.

"People I have spoke to have stayed at Cockermouth or further away for the fair because there's nowhere to stay in Egremont."

The hotel development follows the decision to convert another derelict Market Place building – formerly Tommy Kelly's clothes shop – in to two shop units, housing and flats after Copeland councillors gave it their backing.

Behind the property, land currently occupied by a garage/storage building will be used for three new two-storey houses, and part of the site will be cleared to make way for five parking spaces, plus a communal area for bin storage.

The property had fallen into disrepair having been vacant for many years and was also high on the grot-spot hitlist of Copeland mayor Mike Starkie.

Speaking previously, Mr Starkie said: "The pursuit of grot-spots has always remained top of my agenda. There is a clear determination that dilapidated buildings and grot spots will be pursued and addressed as part of the town centre regeneration programme."