TAVISTOCK has been announced as a finalist in the National Coach Tourism Awards. Members of the town's Business Improvement District (BID) and Tavistock Town Council have worked tirelessly over the past few years to increase the amount of coaches and visitors to the town. And their hard work has paid off with a final place in 'the coach friendly destination of the year category' — up against five other towns including Bournemouth, Burnham-on-Sea and the Isle of Man. BID manager Lisa Wadling said: 'Out of all who entered, to be selected as a finalist, is pretty amazing! 'We are over the moon as it shows all the hard work that BID and Tavistock Town Council have done.' From April 2012 to April 2013, 347 coaches pulled in to Tavistock, with 11,722 people in tow — then from April 2013 to March 2014 the town received 478 coaches and 15,140 — a significant increase in only eleven months. Duane Carruthers, market reeve, said: 'I am absolutely delighted with the increase in coaches in the town centre and hope it increases next year. 'I am over the moon with being in the final and hopefully we will be selected as the winner!' Tavistock mayor Harry Smith said: 'To be a finalist for this award is a recognition of the work we have been doing to attract more coach companies to the town. 'It is important that we increase the footfall for our market and all of the businesses of the town. 'Reaching this national final means that our efforts, over some time, are finally recognised by a wider audience.' The final winner will be announced at Blackpool's Tower Ballroom on Thursday, May 15.