A family firm has added another hotel to its expanding portfolio.

Gretna Green Ltd has bought 97-bedroom Gretna Hall, one of the region's biggest hotels, for an undisclosed sum.

It is the third hotel that the business has added over the last 10 years, starting with the creation of Smiths Hotel at Gretna Green in 2006.

The rescue of the former Garden House Hotel, on the England-Scotland border, from administration and its transformation to Greens at Gretna - including a £1 million makeover - added a second in 2014.

Gretna Hall, an historic marriage house at Gretna Green, is just a stone's throw from Smiths.

The venue had been owned by a London-based property firm since 2006 and employs about 55 staff.

Its new owners are starting to pull plans together for its future.

Alasdair Houston, who heads the the farming, tourism and hospitality firm, said: "Gretna Hall joining our family of businesses allows us to continue our work of strengthening Destination Gretna Green for locals and visitors alike."

The hotel has special significance to the Houston family, being the manor house for Gretna Estate, which his great-grandfather bought in 1885.

Mr Houston, also a director of Carlisle-based auctioneering-to-printing company H&H Group, added: "The team working at Gretna Hall have done a great job, but formany years there has been no clear leadership and vision for the future.

"The business has not been getting the love, care and attention that it deserves.

"We hope to put that right and offer opportunities for existing and new members of staff to develop and join us on our journey as the business grows.

"There will be many challenges ahead but I believe that much will be achieved with a clear vision, good communication and great teamwork."

As well as its hotels, Gretna Green Ltd owns and operates the Famous Blacksmith's Shop attraction in Gretna Green, Scotland's most visited privately-owned attraction. It employs about 300 people.

The Houston family also has two farming businesses, including the renowned Gretna House herds of pedigree Charolais and Aberdeen Angus cattle.