A WOMAN has died after a fire in former hotel in Gwynedd.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service was called to a report of the fire at a property on the A496 in Bontddu, near Dolgellau, at 9.09am on Friday morning.

Fire appliances from Dolgellau, Harlech, Barmouth, Bala and Blaenau Ffestiniog, an aerial ladder platform, high volume pump and the incident command unit were mobilised to the incident.

A woman was rescued by firefighters but sadly died at the scene.

The cause of the fire will be the subject of a joint investigation by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and North Wales Police.

Built in 1873, Bontddu Hall attracted guests from all over the world during its heyday as a hotel.

Richard Burton and Sean Connery stayed there while filming in Wales.

It was undergoing restoration.