PROPRIETOR Louise Cliff has described the major redevelopment plans for Whiston Hall as "a dream come true."

The Moorlands outpost has attracted a project injection of £5m into the estate with plans to create one of the best golfing facilities in the area over the next 18 months.

The identity of the investor in under wraps, but Cliff has revealed she grew up in Trentham, but currently lives abroad.

She said: "We have been plodding along for 16 years, so we need to reach a different level, but there has been no lack of interest from people keen to invest.

"I must have turned away about 20 who have recognised the potential of the place because I cannot work with them.

"They don't understand the sentimental value of Whiston Hall, which has been in the family since 1850, although it was my grandfather, Tommy Cooper, who was responsible for the golf course. All the basics are down to him and he was working on the course until the day before he died at the age of 87 in 1992."

Cliff, who is 36, has welcomed the new investor as "a normal guy".

She said: "Some of the people I have spoken to are venture capitalists who own islands and things like that, but I am a girl from Leek and I don't understand them.

"The man who has come is not highfalutin. He loves the place and the setting and sees the fabulous potential which exists. I am dead excited."

Work is already under way and Cliff added: "It will be a massive shot in the arm for the members, who won't know what has hit them. They will be gobsmacked.

"They will finally have their own clubhouse instead of having to share the Hall and a lot of work will be done on the course.

"We have around 300 members, but no ladies, which is something we are intending to put right."

Whiston will also be aiming to expand their commercial and corporate activities with the prospect of creating 50-plus jobs and there is even talk of a driving range, gymnasium and swimming pool on site.

Cliff said: "Whiston Hall has always had huge potential which will finally be realised. It will be absolutely fabulous."

STAFFS seconds play their penultimate match of the season against Notts at Leek on Sunday.

Team captain Kevin Beattie (Wolstanton) has called up Andy Guy on his home course and hands a debut to Leek club colleague James Cowburn. Also in the team is Burslem's John Kendall.

The county first team are away at Worksop.

THREE of the Sentinel Cup and Shield semi-finals will be played at Newcastle on Saturday.

The exception, the cup semi-final between Kyle Fitzpatrick (Wolstanton) and Terry Eardley (Burslem) is at Leek.

WINNER of the Astbury Past Captains' Trophy was Jim Barry. The 12-hole tournament preceded the annual dinner hosted by current captain Peter Bozon and attended by 22 of his predecessors.