A FAMILY in Wotton-under-Edge has taken the decision to turn their home into a bed and breakfast establishment.

The Alexander family opened the Chipping House Bed and Breakfast, in the Chipping, last November - and it has already been enjoying brisk trade.

Anthony Alexander, 52, a local town councillor and previously a chartered surveyor, said: "It's quite a big house and so we had spare capacity and that's really where the idea of doing it came from.

"We had been thinking about it for a while but only decided to do something in September.

"It's been interesting opening our house to other people but so far it's going well."

Along with his wife Catherine and their four children, Mr Alexander said he is enjoying opening his doors to visitors and is already experiencing some early success.

He said: "We only opened recently but we have already been fully booked. It's local businesses who have members of staff who are coming from further away who need somewhere to stay.

"We have also taken some advance bookings for 2008 with people walking the Cotswold Way.

"Between Christmas and New Year we had a lady staying who was visiting friends in Wotton."

The Chipping House offers several ensuite guest rooms, all with television and DVD players and a guest lounge.

With the Wotton community in mind, the Alexanders are also quick to recommend neighbouring attractions to guests such as the cinema, heritage centre and pubs.

The Chipping House is a prominent building in the town and steeped in much history.

The house was once owned by Colonel William FitzHardinge Berkeley MP, son of the fifth earl of Berkeley.

The house was once used as lodgings for pupils from the town's grammar school. It was also the residence for the grammar school's headmaster until the 1970s.

For more information visit www.chippinghouse.com.