AN AWARD-winning Hampshire hotel is closing and reopening as a boutique B&B as one of the owners battles cancer.

Internationally-renowned wine expert Gerard Bassett and his wife Nina are scaling back their operation at the Hotel TerraVina in Woodlands, Netley Marsh, which they launched a decade ago.

Nina says the "momentous" decision will give her more time to look after Gerard and her mother, who has also been fighting cancer.

Gerard, 60, who was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus last year, has just had a major operation that will leave him unable to eat properly for at least a year.

The seven-hour procedure to remove a tumour and an adrenal gland was carried out by a team of surgeons at Southampton General Hospital.

Nina said: "Gerard is recovering quite well. Some days are better than others and he's in a lot of pain but being brave.

"Changing to a kitchen café and boutique B&B will allow us to gain a better work/life balance and ensure I'm able to be at home with Gerard in the evenings during his lengthy recovery period."

The hotel will close on February 25 and re-open as a B&B on March 5.

The changes, which will result in three redundancies, have been announced on its website.

Nina's latest blog says: "I am so overwhelmed by the thousands of messages Gerard and I have received supporting our decision, the palatable excitement around the changes and the kindness of so many people.

"It really has been a momentous decision for us to make.

"But it feels like the right one and will give me the time I need to spend with my mum and with Gerard whilst he is recovering.

"It will be at least 12 months before he will be able to eat properly again, with puréed foods the order of the day for a while.

"For someone whose career has been so food and wine-focused this is truly a lifestyle change, but Gerard is taking it all in his stride and remains as positive and upbeat as possible."

Looking back on the past ten years Nina says many people have arrived as guests and left as friends.

She adds: "It has been a privilege to have created TerraVina and to have had you all share the journey with us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

Gerard embarked on a career as a wine professional after moving from France to the UK in the 1980s.

He won a fistful of awards and in 2010 triumphed at the World Sommelier Championships in Chile. The following year he was awarded the OBE.