The Mill Race at Walford will be able to accommodate overnight guests as they have been given planning permission for an extension.

A spokeman for the pub told the Ross Gazette:?"We have worked very hard with our neighbours and local residents to agree a scheme that everyone is happy with. Obtaining consent to build ten guest rooms is such fantastic news not just for the Mill Race but for Ross as a whole.

"We need to attract tourism to the area and there is a shortage of quality accommodation in the area. The Mill Race has gained a fantastic reputation for its food over the last few years attracting customers from further afield so rooms can only increase trade to the pub and bring more people to the local area who will support other local businesses too.

"We are grateful to the councillors for recognising the benefits of the application and giving the scheme their support.

Herefordshire Council officers had recommended refusal for the ten bedroom extension and two staff dwellings. Councillor Andrew Atkinson told the Gazette that Councillor John Jarvis spoke eloquently about it being a good thing for the business and the village.

This application was for a two-storey accommodation block in the southwest corner of the car park. The accommodation block will provide ten letting rooms each providing a bedroom, sitting area and bathroom.

Another two-storey building on the north side of the entrance off the B4234 will accommodate two flats providing two bedrooms, kitchen/dining/ lounge and shower room. Entrance to the flats, which will provide accommodation for staff, will be off the driveway to the car park.

A single storey addition to the rear of the pub to extend the trading area and a balcony are also included in the plans.

Several letters of concern had been noted by the officers. These raised issues about the size and proportion of the extension and the disposal of foul drainage.

The officers recommended refusal because of the size and scale of the new buildings in an AONB. However, Councillors voted against the recommendations and gave permission.