The prospect of a pivotal role in a major new Cornish tourism and leisure development has prompted a Belfast woman to settle back in the UK after five years of plum posts overseas.

Jenny Bowden has been appointed general manager of Gwel an Mor holiday village at Portreath, currently the subject of a £28 million expansion plan.

It's all change from a lifestyle that has seen her typically based on the Greek coast in the summer and at French and Austrian ski resorts in the winter in various management posts for Mark Warner Ltd.

Jenny began her hospitality career with the Hilton hotel group in the UK, working with them for six years, and she is now aiming to make her wealth of experience pay big dividends for Gwel an Mor and Cornish tourism.

"It's one of the most ambitious projects in the history of Cornish tourism and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be at the heart of it all."

The first two phases of Gwel an Mor are now all but complete. The Terrace Restaurant is now open, along with other features including 46 holiday lodges and a club house. A further 12 lodges are currently being built.

The phase three project includes a dry ski slope, major new conference facility, nine-hole golf course, equestrian centre, pet "hotel" and wildlife educational and observation facilities, and more luxury holiday lodges. The scheme will add 120 new jobs to the existing 80.