A keen walker from Manchester has officially become the new owner of a popular Cumbrian hostel on the edge of the Pennine Way.

Mat Austin has taken over at the Alston Youth Hostel after previous owners Linda and Neil put it up for sale after 10 years with the business. 

On a visit to Cumbria, Mat stayed at the hostel and became enamoured with it, before deciding to buy it and quit his job. 

In an interview with the News & Star, he revealed what attracted him to Cumbria, and his plans to bring the hostel into the 21st century. 

He said: "I reached a point in my life where I thought it was probably time to step off the corporate ladder and do something a bit different. I was looking for somewhere to stay at Alston and saw the for sale sign at the youth hostel and thought 'why the heck not?' You only live once. I came up and stayed that weekend, Linda and Neil were really accommodating and made me feel really welcome. I put an offer in which was accepted and quit my job a few weeks later."

Mat is hoping to bring the hostel into the 21st century by introducing ground floor bedrooms for those with accessibility needs, while he could also use his experience in the food industry to offer an evening meal.

He is hoping to attract guests who want a different, more social and affordable experience to one you would perhaps get in a hotel.

He said: "I want to continue all the great things that the previous owners did but also put my own slant on it by investing in it and bringing in some of my own ideas. There are two big selling points for this hostel. If you trip up on the Pennine Way and put a hand out to stop yourself, you'll probably land on my wall. The value for money and social side of it is also amazing. It's very friendly and welcoming. We want people to feel like they're staying in our home."