TWO East Lancashire hotels joined some of the region's top attractions to receive awards at the United Utilities North West Tourist Board Awards.

The Sparrow Hawk Hotel in Church Street, Burnley, and Mytton Fold Hotel in Langho both received silver awards from the board following a special presentation lunch at Liverpool's Aintree Racecourse.

The board, which is a partnership between the English Tourist Board, the British Tourist Authority, 39 local authorities and more than 1,000 tourist business in the region, aims to promote, commend and increase the benefits of tourism in the North West.

The Sparrow Hawk was rewarded in the Training for Tourism category won by the Trafford Centre while Mytton Fold Hotel received its award in the Best Small Hotel category won by the Alderley Edge Hotel in Cheshire.

Chorley's Camelot Theme Park and Rare Breeds Farm in Charnock Richard won the North West Visitor Attraction of the Year title for new facilities and a carefully planned marketing campaign designed to attract more visitors. The Prime Resorts-owned park's environmental commitment was also commended by judges who were impressed with Camelot's partnership with the Groundwork Trust and UK Waste groups.

Bosses at Prime Resorts, who own the site, were praised for the new £1 million indoor family entertainment centre, live jousting and staff who give information and explain about the shows.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach was also presented with an award for being the region's Favourite Day Out after more than a million children were asked to vote.

North West Tourist Board chairman Anthony Goldstone said: "The North West boasts some of the best tourist attractions and facilities in the country and these awards recognise that."

"I think tourism operators across the country should look to us for ideas of best practice and that the industry is something we should be very proud of."

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