OWNERS of an environmentally friendly Lake District hotel have questioned why the guest accommodation star ratings system includes no recognition of a hotel's green credentials.

As organic fortnight' draws to a close this weekend, Nigel and Jackie Gorton, who run Moss Grove Organic Hotel in the centre of Grasmere, say they are disappointed that hotel inspectors do not give a green' grading.

The couple argue that such a rating would be in line with the Lake District becoming the world's first Green Globe 21 destination - an accolade recognising the area's success in balancing the needs of tourism, the environment, local communities and the economy.

And they point to a Cumbria Tourist Board survey that revealed 85 per cent of people would prefer to stay in a more environmentally friendly hotel.

Mr and Mrs Gorton, who have more than 25 years of experience of running hotels in the Lakes, plan to lobby Cumbria Tourism - formerly Cumbria Tourist Board - over the issue.

However, Cumbria Tourism PR manager Ellis Butcher said the organisation did not administer the hotel star ratings system, and such an issue would be a matter for Visit Britain, the country's tourism authority.

He pointed out hotels could demonstrate their commitment to the environment by becoming members of the Lake District Tourism and Conservation Partnership, and asking guests to pay an extra charge that funded environmental projects.

Mr and Mrs Gorton's commitment to the green cause was recognised by the Cumbria Business Environment Network, which gave the Moss Grove Hotel a bronze award, recognising its awareness and commitment to environmentally sound operations.

The couple are aiming to secure both CBEN's silver award - given to businesses making progress towards assessing and controlling environmental risks - and the top gold award, for companies reaching a level of excellence in identifying risks, putting in place procedures to manage their potential impacts and planning for continued improvement in performance, by spring 2007.

The huge investment that the couple have made in the truly organic hotel has attracted interest both far and wide since the doors first opened to guests in June this year.

They spent eight months virtually rebuilding the hotel from scratch and, as passionate supporters of the environment, they found their beliefs rubbing off on the project.

Decorators were persuaded to use natural clay paints inside the hotel; carpets are wool-rich Axminster from Goodacres of Kendal; pillows are made of natural duckdown; bed sheets and covers are 100 per cent cotton; and beds and furniture are made out of reclaimed or sustainable timber.

En-suite bathrooms in the 11 guestrooms are stocked with organic toiletries; hotel staff use only biodegradable cleaning products; and low energy light bulbs can be found throughout the building, which dates back to 1850.

Plans are afoot to introduce more LED lighting (light emitting diodes) that use even less energy.

"We wanted everything to be as natural or organic as possible," explained Mrs Gorton.

The hotel is also committed to using Fairtrade products, such as tea and coffee, and has adopted a policy of buying local' as much as possible.

So far, the Gortons have not actively marketed their hotel's green appeal to visitors, but they are convinced it will be a strong selling point.

Such has been the level of interest in the hotel that the Gortons have shown more than 1,000 people around the property since it opened, in addition to paying guests.

Members of Grasmere Civic Society came calling for advice on renovations at the village hall, and a delegate from the Environment Agency visited to seek advice on how to help small businesses become more environmentally aware.

Moss Grove Organic Hotel also caught the eye of a passing inspector from Which Holiday Guide, who found the property's concept to be unique, said Mr Gorton.

l CBEN can be contacted by calling 01768-891555.