Tributes have been paid to the founder of a popular hotel in Mawgan Porth who has died.

Mary Whittington who established the Bedruthan Steps Hotel, now known as Bedruthan, has passed away at the age of 93 following a short illness.

Her son Nat Louis said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Whittington, our mother and the founder of Bedruthan Steps Hotel.

“Mary came to Cornwall in 1958 and created Bedruthan Steps Hotel, now known as Bedruthan, which grew to become the market leader of family hotels in the UK. 

“The all-welcoming kind philosophy created by Mary when the hotel first opened created the perfect atmosphere for tens of thousands of happy holidays for families from all over the world.

Mary's inspirational personality touched the hearts of so many who worked alongside her and met her on their travels to our hotel.

“Bedruthan has remained a family owned business as Mary passed her mission onto her children who have continued her work in creating a clifftop sanctuary for all to enjoy.

"She will be sadly missed by our family and all those who met her.”

The family later opened Scarlet Hotel, an adults-only ‘eco sanctuary’ also set into the clifftop above Mawgan Porth beach in North Cornwall.

Mary's life will be celebrated at Glynn Valley Crematorium, Bodmin on Friday, January 20 at 1.30pm.

Guests are asked to dress colourfully as Mary would have wanted. There will be no flowers, however there will be a collection for Mary's favourite charity Help For Heroes.