WEST Country cottage specialist, Helpful Holidays, has been nominated by the British Travel Awards in the Best UK cottage/self catering booking company (UK properties) category.

The Chagford-based holiday home company is delighted with the nomination, which shortlists it amongst the top national UK agencies.

The British Travel Awards are acknowledged as the most definitive and largest monitor of public opinion on the performance of travel and tourism providers. Shortlisted companies are nominated by travel industry professionals, but it is the leisure holidaymakers whose votes finally determine the winners.

The results will be announced at a ceremony in November in London.

Welcoming the unexpected accolade, Helpful Holidays' general manager Moray Bowater, said: 'This is a great credit to our team and home-owners, as well as a testament to the level of service and quality of properties offered by Helpful Holidays overall.

'Our holidaymakers and home owners' views are at the very heart of the awards programme and we're seeking their support by asking them to cast their votes.

'If our service has met or exceeded their expectations, they can register and vote online at http://www.britishtravelawards.com">www.britishtravelawards.com;; as a thank you for their time, they will be entered automatically into a prize draw with the chance of winning some great holidays and other rewards.'