TOURISM businesses in West Devon and East Cornwall are celebrating after picking up honours at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards , held at the Eden Project last Friday.

More than 60 different awards were announced following a rigorous judging process.

This year's awards event was hosted by well known BBC Radio journalist Daphne Skinnard, with presentations made by Eden Project founder Sir Tim Smit and entertainer Lloyd Griffith.

 Gidleigh Park, near Chagford, won gold in the small hotel of the year category.

The Arundell Arms at Lifton won bronze in the tourism activity, sport and experience category, while the National Trust's Cotehele House won bronze in the large visitor attraction of the year section.

More than 300 entries were considered for the awards, with all entrants undergoing a rigorous short-listing process and 164 going on to be visited by a team of over 30 mystery shoppers.

Entry was free, and all entrants received feedback on how they've done, giving them the best opportunity both to hone their entry in future years and make improvements to their business.

Up to four award winners from each category in this year's awards will all now go on to represent the region at the National Enjoy England Awards for Excellence later in May.

Chair of judges, Alistair Handyside, said: 'Once again, leading tourism businesses in the South West have excelled themselves in maintaining a strong tradition of innovation and quality.

'Most will now go on to represent both themselves and our region at the Visit England national tourism awards and we wish them all the very best.'

Dave Roberts, head of business development for title sponsors, Source for Business, said: 'On behalf of Source for Business and South West Water I would like to congratulate all of the South West's tourism businesses represented at the Excellence Awards. Tourism is so important to our region, so it is fantastic to see that with each year the level of achievement gets higher and higher.'