A NUMBER of businesses in West Devon have beaten off stiff competition to be chosen as finalists in the Devon Tourism Awards.

The awards, now in their fifth year, have seen an increase in entries competing to come top of its 18 categories. The finalists will be in suspense until November 19, when they will learn whether they have won gold, silver or bronze awards at the awards ceremony.

Competing for top place this year are The Horn of Plenty in Gulworthy in the small hotel of the year category, the Taste of Devon award and the venue and business tourism award, Wheatland Farm Eco Lodges in Winkleigh for the sustainable tourism award and Dartmoor National Park Visitor Centres in Princetown and Postbridge for the tourist information service of the year category.

Also commended in the awards were Appledore Park in Okehampton and the Moorland Garden Hotel in Yelverton.

Successful businesses in the Devon Awards will then be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in February 2015 and then possibly invited to represent Devon in to the National VisitEngland Awards later in the year.

Chairman of the awards panel, David Fursdon, said: 'When you look at the very high standard of the entries to this year's Devon Tourism awards you not only develop huge respect for the calibre, imagination and ability of those running and working in Devon's Tourism Industry but you are also thankful that they are working so hard and successfully to bring visitors to this wonderful county.'