JOE Lavin, who has managed Conwy's historic Castle Hotel for 10 years, has been named general manager of the Year by the Coaching Inn Group.

Joe, aged 38, received a trophy at the group's annual awards at the Three Swans Hotel in Market Harborough

The Castle, a former 17th century coaching inn, was acquired by the group at the end of 2016 and extensively refurbished to include two new loft suites to increase the number of bedrooms to twenty nine.

Group CEO Kevin Charity said Joe had overseen huge changes and his professionalism, personality and leadership was an example to all hospitality general managers.

Joe, who oversees a team of 40, said: "The award is a real accolade not only for me but for my whole team without whose enthusiastic support I would not have won it".

Also honoured on the awards night was Jackie Connor, who joined the hotel’s front of house team seven months ago, and had created such a favourable impression that she won the company’s customer service award.