Knaresborough-based property developers Jude and Bernhard Palmer will officially launch their highly-anticipated £6million conversion of the former Linton Springs Hotel, near Sicklinghall on September 19 and 20, although the event will be strictly invite only.

The ambitious couple, who run Palmer Developments (North) Ltd, have been converting the famous 20,000sq ft Georgian building into 14 two and three bedroom apartments over the recent years.

Jude, a media consultant specialising in advising TV producers on their intellectual property rights, admits the project has been a real labour of love for her and her facial surgeon husband but one they have both enjoyed immensely.

"We've brought back to life a building that's a piece of Yorkshire history and its definitely been our most ambitious development project to date," she said.

"At one time the hotel was a hugely popular venue for weddings and meals in its famous Gun Room restaurant and while we've been doing this development we've heard so many interesting stories about it."

The couple, who have two children together, Sophia, four and baby Sienna, six months, plus Jude's daughter Caitlin, 14, and Berni's children Harry, 13, and Millie, 13 have heard so many stories, in fact, they're keen to collect them as memorabilia.

They want anyone who stayed at the hotel in its 70s, 80s and 90s heyday or anyone who enjoyed a meal there to write a personal story about it.

Jude said: "The Gun Room was once very famous and so many people who've looked around the apartments have said things like 'That's where we sat for that meal that time' while we've been walking through a bedroom for example.

"There has been quite a lot of interest in the history of Linton Springs because at one time it attracted some very high profile people so we would like to invite local people to write down their memories about it."

The couple will choose the person who writes the most interesting story to officially cut the ribbon on the first day of their public launch.

The Wetherby News will also print all stories in the paper for people to read so if you have an interesting story about Linton Springs do not hesitate to write in.

Simply email wetherby.news@ypn.co.uk with your memories or send them in by post to Wetherby News, 9 Westgate, Wetherby, LS22 6LL.

To attend the Linton Springs public launch on September 19 or 20 call acting agents Fine and Country on 0113 203 4939 to book your place or visit www.fineandcountry.com.

susannah.berry@ypn.co.uk