LEASOWE Castle Hotel will be exclusively taken over by Royal and Ancient Golf Club officials when the Open Golf Championships come to Wirral in 2006.

Confirmation that the hotel will become the centre of operations for the tournament and off limits to other visitors came last week as television crews and organisers tried to secure bases for the tournament to be held at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in 2006.

Peter Atherton, owner of Leasowe Castle Hotel said: "We are delighted, it is great news for the hotel. Hopefully the Open will act as a springboard, making the area a major golfing location, not just during it but running up to it as well."

Last week, The Globe revealed that owners of up-market homes are being offered £20,000 per week in rental during the champion-ship.