A once-vacant pub is now bucking the trend and planning to expand.

The historic George Hotel in Cullingworth is proving so popular with punters since it re-opened, its owners now hope to extend its kitchen facilities to “keep up with customer demand”.

Co-owner Chris Thompson said of the pub’s success: “It’s a monster.”

The planned extension would also see a function room and storage area converted into more bed and breakfast bedrooms.

The 19th-century pub is in Station Road, in the heart of Cullingworth’s conservation area, and Bradford Council has identified it as a key building in the village.

Mr Thompson, who runs the pub with partner, Joanne Storton, said it had been shut before they took it on in 2011.

He added: “I only live next door and always have done. I’m the fourth generation of my family in Cullingworth.

“I had always drunk in the pub, on and off over the years, so I knew the pub very well.”

Mr Thompson said the ground-floor extension would allow them to separate the eating and drinking areas better.

And he added by starting up the bed and breakfast business again, he hoped to attract tourists visiting nearby Haworth.

The pub already has bed and breakfast facilities on the first floor, which are not currently being used, but the extension would add a further three bedrooms.