THE great grandson of the first owners of a Bewsey hotel is visiting the area to learn more about his family history.

Owen Partridge's great grandparents, Clara and Tom, were landlord and landlady of The Imperial Hotel on Bewsey Road at the beginning of the last century - and were behind the bar for more than 40 years.

Owen, who is from Iqaluit in northern Canada, is hoping to unearth some clues about his family tree by visiting Warrington.

Current owners Bob and Margaret Nevitt, who have been at The Imperial for 11 years, received a letter from Owen's aunt, Clarice, two weeks ago asking for information and pictures of the hotel for her daughters Donna and Susan, who are researching the family tree.

Bob said: "When Owen rang last week to ask for a room for a couple of days we assumed he knew about his aunt's letter.

"But it turns out it was a spooky coincidence and neither Owen nor Clarice knew the other had been in touch.

"I've found some old photographs and information about the hotel, which I'll give to Owen and make copies of to send to Clarice." In the pub's 100-year history there have only been seven landlords and Bob and Margaret are hoping their daughter, Denise, will take over the reins when they decide to retire.

Margaret said: "The letter has generated a great deal of interest and has really got us thinking about the pub's history.

"We couldn't believe that we were going to meet a relative of the family who had the pub 100 years ago and we are looking forward to helping Owen trace the place's history."

Owen, 51, has just completed a Masters degree at the University of Wales in Aberystwyth in business and administration after more than 20 years in hospital administration.

Anyone who has old photographs of The Imperial Hotel in Bewsey or any information about previous owners can contact 637255.