EAST Lancashire was the big winner at the county’s ‘tourism Oscars’ yesterday.

Destinations in the region coll-ected six gongs out of a possible 14 at the Lancashire and Black-pool Tourism Awards, held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors.

The awards celebrate the best of Lancashire’s growing tourism industry and those who lure visitors to the county.

The event, hosted by TV pres-enter Michaela Strachan, saw Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho, collect the access for all tourism gong, while Clough Bottom Farm Cottages, Bashall Eaves, won the sustainable tourism award.

The East Lancashire Railway, which runs between Rawtenstall and Bury, picked up the tourism event of the year award for its 1940s-themed ‘wartime weekend’, and the Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, won the business tourism award.

The self-catering award went to the Old Shippon holid-ay cottages, Mellor, while Clitheroe Castle and Museum collected the small visitor attraction of the year gong.

East Lancashire’s winners were congratulated by bosses of the awards.

Nick Brooks-Sykes, director of tourism at the North West Development Agency, which backs the event, said: “Lancashire is developing a reputation as a top-quality visitor destination, with stunning accommodation, unique attractions, and excellent food, thanks in part to those indiv-iduals and organisations that have been recognised at today’s awards.”

Anna Izza, from the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, said: “The Ribble Valley and wider East Lancashire area are areas we have been promoting in our recent campaigns.

“There's so much heritage there, with the food and history, and also great places to visit.

“These awards are testament to that.”

East Lancashire winners

MYTTON FOLD HOTEL AND GOLF COMPLEX, LANGHO

Access for All Tourism Award: After winning the best small hotel award last year, Mytton Fold was honoured this year for its commitment to being more accessible for disabled people. Additions include three new wheelchair-friendly rooms and large print menus for the visually-impaired.

STANLEY HOUSE HOTEL, MELLOR

Business Tourism Award of the Year: This classy hotel, ideally located on the A677, has diversified in to holding conferences, seminars, and networking events for clients from across Lancashire.

THE OLD SHIPPON, MELLOR

Self-catering award: The shippon stables, which house four holiday cottages, date back to 1525, but have been transformed into contemporary accommodation, attracting visitors from across Britain.

CLOUGH BOTTOM FARM COTTAGES, BASHALL EAVES

Sustainable Tourism Award: Judges were impressed by Clough Bottom Farm’s ‘corporate social responsibility’, including buying eco-friendly cleaning products, encouraging guests to recycle waste, and also using locally-sourced ingredients.

1940s WARTIME WEEKEND, EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY

Best Tourism Event of the Year: Now in its 12th year, the event, organised by rail enthusiasts, includes brass bands, a Battle of Britain memorial fly past, and afternoon tea dances to evoke wartime Britain.

CLITHEROE CASTLE AND MUSEUM

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year: Judges praised the Ribble Valley Council-run attraction, which opened last year. It now boasts interactive galleries and a changing exhibition space.