CONFERENCE centres in Swindon have been given a boost with the news of two makeovers.

Tomorrow HTS Lydiard House unveils its new look after an extensive refurbishment.

Its 32 bedrooms, 13 meeting rooms and three conference suites are in Lydiard Park, just next to the manor house.

More than 500 invitations have been sent out to businesses both in Swindon and up and down the M4 corridor inviting them to see the upgrade for themselves.

Director Paul Brice said: "What we are looking for is to make the business community more aware of the facilities, and assist them in being able to hold seminars and residential conferences.

"We also have facilities to provide corporate entertainment so if companies are looking for venues for Christmas parties with accommodation we can help there."

The centre is also increasingly in demand as a wedding venue, for both civil and religious services.

Last year 32 weddings took place, and there are many more booked for the future.

Mr Brice declined to reveal how much money has been spent on the upgrade.

HTS Lydiard Park has been running since 1974.

There is also a centre in Lane End, near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.

Meanwhile, the De Vere Hotel in West Swindon has announced that it will be spending more than £750,000 this summer on development and refurbishment.

The work will include the addition of six new air-conditioned syndicate rooms for up to 12 delegates, and a new room for up to 80 people.

There will also be a refurbishment programme at the hotel's leisure club and air conditioning installed in all executive rooms.

It has also announced that companies booking a 24-hour delegate package including meals, accommodation and room hire will receive a free day delegate deal including rooms and food the following day which normally costs £35 per person.

Anyone who would like to attend the HTS Lydiard Park launch can call 01793 770062.

To find out more about the De Vere deal call 01793 878785 and quote "summer".