MICHAEL Whetton, who until February of this year was the Managing Director of Manchester United Football Club's catering operation and was recently elected a Councillor at Trafford Borough Council where he is chairman of the Licensing Committee, has taken charge of Pen-y-Dyffryn, a12 bedroom country house hotel close to Oswestry.

Mr Whetton, used to controlling a wide variety of catering from fine dining to kiosks at the football club, said he hopes to maintain the hotel's high quality Two Rosette award restaurant.