THREE West Devon businesses have scooped gold awards at the prestigious 2011 Devon Tourism Awards at a special ceremony last Wednesday,

Gidleigh Park in Chagford has scooped three awards, including the most coveted Winner of Winners' accolade.

The hotel and restaurant is run by Michelin star chef Michael Caines. It won gold for the Taste of Devon award, joint gold for the hotel of the year along with Bovey Castle, and completed its hat-trick of prizes with the winner of winners' crown.

The awards ceremony was held at Exeter's Sandy Park, presided over by Judi Spiers. Thirteen gold awards and 15 gold product awards were presented to businesses across ten categories.

Rosie Bates, general manager of Visit Devon, the organisation behind the awards, said: 'Picking up three awards is a tremendous achievement and we congratulate Gidleigh Park for leading the way in demonstrating the exceptional quality and excellence on offer to visitors to Devon.

'We are thrilled for all the businesses that have received awards and wish the best of luck to those going forward into the regional and national awards.'

Two other local winners were Wheatland Farm in Winkleigh and Lovaton Farm in South Tawton.

Wheatland Farm won the gold award for sustainable tourism. The farm has three self-catering eco lodges, which are powered entirely using renewable energy, mostly taken from a wind turbine. In 2010 the farm clinched silver, going one better in 2011.

Lovaton Farm was another local success, winning a gold product award for their Dexter cross Devon sirloin steak, and Gloucester Old Spot dry cure back bacon.

Their success follows on from gold, silver and bronze awards received at the Taste the West Awards earlier this year.

Successful businesses in the Devon Awards will be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in February 2012, and possibly on to the National Visit England Awards in May next year.