A TITHE barn built when Henry V111 was on the throne of England, is to be transformed into a spectacular wedding venue.

Set on the Bolton Abbey estate next to the River Wharfe and close to Bolton Priory, it is one of the biggest timber aisled barns in the north of England.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park gave the go ahead for the scheme earlier this year.

The project includes a new access road off the B6160, parking for 67 cars.

and the construction of a new 'bat house' to replace the roost for the Natterer and Pipistrelle bats which currently live in the barn.

The Grade II listed building has the original timber frame with a roof spanning enough space to accommodate weddings and events for up to 400 guests

The barn will include a ceremony area, dining area, bar and spaces to relax, designed to be in keeping with the original building.

The developer Cripps Barn Group aim to make the barn one of the largest, most spectacular spaces in which to get married.

Cripps were approached by the estate to take to the project and work is expected to be completed by next year and reservations are already being made.

The company is a family-run business with over 20 years’ experience in hosting weddings and events and the Bolton Abbey project is its largest and most impressive barn venue to date.

Benedict Heyes, Bolton Abbey estates director , said: “We're very excited about this initiative.

"It has been an ambition of the estate to find a new but sympathetic use for this building. Furthermore, it is an important historical building and its new use as a wedding barn will enable it to be enjoyed and seen by many other people.

“Thanks and appreciation should also be extended to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Historic England for their insight in supporting this development.”