CREWE'S Rockwood Hotel has been taken over by the Punch Pub Company.

The firm has bought the outlet, which is based on Alton Street, from Northern Leisure for £375,000.

The Rockwood will be integrated into the company's national estate of more than 4,000 pubs and licensee Ken Fisher is to remain at the helm.

Neil Griffiths from Punch Pubs said: "The Rockwood Hotel is a welcome addition to the Punch portfolio and we look forward to building up a successful and profitable partnership with the licensee."