STAFF at a Lake District hotel are being given a free reign to produce income estimates and spend allocated budgets as they see fit.

After going through a major development programme, owner of the Glenridding Hotel John Melling has now put the spotlight on his workers.

Each department, whether it be kitchen or marketing, must control its own finances.

Despite an increase in workloads, staff are keen to explore their own personal development, said Mr Melling.

"The staff are all benefiting from the new way of working in terms of training and development," he added.

"When staff move on they have experience that most hotel staff won't gain."

All department heads and senior managers took part in a budget planning workshop with a financial consultant, who monitored budgets and attended the business planning day.