OWNERS of a well-known New Forest hotel have revealed that they put the building on the market "with a heavy heart".

The award-winning Cloud Hotel in Meerut Road, Brockenhurst, has gone on sale for the second time in five years - with an asking price of £2.35m.

It comes just months after civic chiefs approved plans to turn the building into a B&B.

The hotel was previously owned by ex-Tiller Girl Avril Owton, who appeared at the London Palladium with stars such as Cilla Black, Bruce Forsyth and Judy Garland.

Her business career began in the 1970s, when her husband Tom took over the three-star hotel.

After he died in 1991 she updated the building and saw her investment pay off. Profits soared by 800% and in 1995 she was named Hampshire Businesswoman of the Year.

In 2016 she hosted a celebration to mark her 40 years at the hotel.

Speaking at the time Cllr Alison Hoare, then chairman of New Forest District Council, said: “Avril is the most inspiring woman I have ever met.”

Referring to Tom Owton’s death she added: “When the worst possible thing happened she rolled up her sleeves and turned The Cloud into the wonderful, award-winning hotel it is today.”

Following her decision to move on the 17-room hotel was bought by Chris Legg and Stewart Wills in 2017.

The Cloud had an asking price of £1.7m but Christie & Co, which handled the sale, declined to say how much it actually sold for.

Earlier this year the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) approved an application to turn the premises into a eight-bedroom B&B, two cottages and two holiday lets.

Last night Mr Legg spoke about the decision to sell the building.

He said: “We are going on the market with a heavy heart, but due to personal circumstances we have decided that life is too short to follow through with our plans.

“We feel someone should take on The Cloud with a vision for the long-term and further downscale the business to better suit its location.”

Mr Legg said he hoped a new owner “would continue bringing the remaining business into the 21st century”.

Plans to turn the hotel into a B&B were given the go-ahead in the spring.

A report to NPA members said: "The building dates from the early 20th century and was originally two pairs of cottages.

"The proposals seek to rationalise the site and enhance the original buildings to create a bed and breakfast business with tearooms, together with four cottages, two of which would be self-contained holiday lets.

"The proposals are considered to be acceptable, given that some tourist accommodation would be retained."

The Cloud is being marketed by Savills Southampton.

The brochure says the hotel is "currently trading at close to full occupancy". It adds: "The building is not listed but is characterful and a non-designated heritage asset within the New Forest Conservation Area."

Savills spokesman Adam Bullas said: "This is a great opportunity to acquire a New Forest hotel in a stunning position within the national park."