BLACKPOOL Council has launched its first tourism award scheme to reward excellence in hotels, catering and entertainment.

Still smarting from a national furore over so-called "shabby" hotels when Labour pulled its 2000 conference out of the resort, tourism chiefs are determined to polish up its image.

Katherine O'Connor, tourism and advertising manager, said: "The awards will celebrate and honour the excellence of the tourism service providers and those people working in Blackpool's premier industry.

"I hope all the partners in the tourism industry will promote the awards, an initiative that recognises the excellence that exists in Blackpool."

Candidates will compete in 10 categories: hotel of the year (small, medium and large); self-catering accommodation of the year; tourism, hospitality and leisure trainee of the year; restaurant of the year; visitor attraction of the year; entertainment venue of the year; pub of the year and tourism employee of the year.

Sponsored by the Citizen group, First Leisure, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Town Centre Forum, the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool Zoo and the De Vere Hotel, the awards will be nominated by resort guests during the summer.

Forms are available from tourism providers and should be sent to the Blackpool Visitor Centre at 1 Clifton Street.

For stocks of forms ring 478203.

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