A HIGHLY rated luxury country hotel in Chagford was awarded gold in the 'small hotel of the year' category at the South West Tourism Excellence awards on Monday.

The Tudor-styled Gidleigh Park was presented with the award at a special ceremony, which celebrates 'the best in the South West' and aims to promote and reward the best in the tourism industry through a judging process.

The awards were held in association with Enjoy England Awards for Excellence, First Great Western and South West Water.

The custodians at Gidleigh Park were left in suspense this year as they had no idea whether the hotel had won the prestigious gold or silver award, until Monday night at Cadbury House Hotel, Somerset.

Guest speaker and presenter at the event was Dr Phil Hammond, a medical doctor who has become noted as a television and radio comedian and commentator, and lives in the South West.

All gold winners will be entered into the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence with the prospect of winning nationally in April 2009.

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of South West Tourism, said: 'We wish the gold winners the best of luck as they go on to represent the region at the national awards in 2009, which is an accolade that any business would be proud of winning.'

Robin Barker, of Services for Tourism, organiser of the programme awards, said: 'This year's winners are absolutely outstanding and I congratulate them, whilst thanking the many sponsors who literally make the awards happen, and the panel of independent judges who gave freely of their time to select the very best.'