Sir Ian Botham to open hotel

5:10am Wednesday 17th October 2007

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NORTH Yorkshire's latest knight, Sir Ian "Beefy" Botham, regularly put touring cricket teams to the sword during his glittering Test career.

Now he is set to relaunch a hotel this weekend by literally putting a champagne bottle under the sword instead.

Sir Ian will perform the famed Napoleonic custom of Le Sabrage - opening a bottle of champagne with a sabre - when he officially opens Burythorpe House at Burythorpe, near Malton on Saturday.

The charity fundraiser and TV commentator, who received his knighthood at Buckingham Palace last week, will fly in by helicopter from his North Yorkshire home to carry out the official opening ceremony, under the guidance of experts from Yorkshire fine wine suppliers Playford Ros.

Sir Ian's Test career saw him capped 102 times, score more than 5,000 runs, and take a then-world record 383 wickets.

Nestling on the edge of the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Wolds, Burythorpe House has itself risen from the ashes - having undergone a major refurbishment programme since its ambitious new owners invested heavily into transforming the historic Georgian gentleman's residence earlier this summer.

Up to 20 jobs have been created at the hotel, where the 13 bedrooms have been equipped with plasma televisions, power and rain showers, roll-top baths; four-poster beds and internet wi-fi access.

The 40-cover in-house restaurant has also been established as an attraction in its own right, with all food locally sourced.

Operations director Frank Malone said Burythorpe House was steeped in history and the major renovations meant it was set to become one of the county's most exclusive rural retreats.

"Throughout the refurbishment we were determined to retain the best of the property's old world charm and character, but blend it with the height of modern technology and luxury.

"By taking Burythorpe House into a new era, we hope to boost its appeal to a variety of local, national and international guests, whether visiting Yorkshire on holiday or on business."

Phase two of the hotel's development will focus on upgrading the hotel's leisure club, which includes a pool, sauna, solarium and gym.