TOURISM entrepreneurs from across East Lancashire have come out on a top at an awards ceremony.

The Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards 2007/2008 honoured the best in the county and companies from Ribble Valley and Padiham scooped several of the top prizes.

Hosted by Dave Guest from the BBC's North West news team the event was held at the De Vere Heritage Herons Reach Hotel in Blackpool yesterday.

Padiham restaurant Fat Giraffe, based in Church Street, took the Best Tourism Newcomer award while Clough Bottom Farm Cottages, Bashall Eaves, won the Self Catering Holiday of the Year award.

Riverside Barn, Ribchester, was named Bed and Breakfast of the Year and The Millstone Hotel at Mellor took the Small Hotel of the Year award. The Shireburn Arms at Hurst Green was Highly Commended in this category.

For the owners of the Fat Giraffe the award was a major coup.

Opened in 2005 as a coffee shop it introduced evening meals 12 months ago and Ann Royle, daughter Jo and her partner James Wilson were delighted.

Ann said: "We are really pleased to get this award. It just shows how far we've come in a short space of time I must credit my daughter for all her drive and enthusiasm."

James, who now acts as chef, was previously an engineer who retrained at Blackpool College to be a chef.

Chef patron of The Millstone at Mellor, Anson Bolton, has been there for five years and said it was recognition for the hard work of the staff.

He said: "You always like to think you are in with a chance of winning an award like this but there are so many high-quality establishments in this area that we are absolutely delighted to have been chosen."

For Andy and Sue Talbot of the Riverside Barn the award was a boost for the couple who converted the former outbuilding in to luxury accommodation over two years ago.

Sue said: "I'm just so thrilled about this. When we started we just decided to give it a go and see what happened. This just gives us the determination to carry on and strive to get even better."

For Jane Backhouse and husband Harry from Clough Bottom Farm the award was confirmation of what they had tried to achieve with the business.

With three cottages, people staying at the farm can also go and pick there own vegetables on the organic farm.

Liz jones from Stanley House in Mellor was present at the event because of their recent Award for Excellence from the English Tourism Board.

She revealed there were plans in the next two or three years to challenge for a large hotel title.

They are previous winner of the Small Hotel of the Year accolade.