THE new owners of an historic Ross-on-Wye hotel have swapped big city life for rural Herefordshire.

Roger and Helen Wynn took over at Wilton Court earlier this month, but the couple are newcomers to the county.

"We've been Londoners all our lives," explained Helen, "but when we saw the hotel for the first time we just fell in love with it."

After more than 20 years in the leisure industry -- including five years in Hong Kong -- working for a succession of well-known firms, the pair decided it was time to run their own business.

And when they arrived in Ross they knew that they had found the perfect location.

"It was Christmas time and the area was flooded but it still looked beautiful and we thought - just imagine how it'll look in summer," enthused Helen.

Parts of the hotel date back to the 15th century and the couple say that they are only planning 'gradual' changes to the look of the building.

"We're excited and very pleased to be here," Helen added.