A HIDDEN-away West Devon guesthouse is celebrating after being awarded one of the industry's most prestigious accolades.

Tor Cottage near Chillaton has been chosen as the 2001 AA Guest Accommodation of the Year for England.

Proprietor Maureen Rowlatt was presented with a watercolour painting of Tor Cottage by up-and-coming artist Duncan Palmar and the coveted trophy at a ceremony in the Renaissance London Chancery Court Hotel recently.

Maureen won the award after the judges agreed Tor Cottage was their top choice of the establishment they would most like to recommend to friends or to return to with their own family.

Now Tor Cottage features in a special photograph at the front of the England section of the new 2002 AA Bed and Breakfast Guide.

Maureen opened for business just four years ago — she now has a loyal list of visitors from all over the world.

She said: 'It's great, we are all very thrilled — and the painting is absolutely beautiful, it really is.'

Maureen put her success down to her 'lovely' staff, who are all local, the support of her family and the fact she really enjoys what she does.

'We all do everything, we are all involved and we're a good team.

'We just pamper our guests to the hilt really — they have lots of privacy and lots of fun staying here. It's very luxurious and spacious and they don't have to disappear, they can stay all day here if they want to.'

And Maureen's success is borne out by the number of repeat bookings she receives.

'One couple have been here 14 times in three years, which is super — we meet some lovely people,' she said.

Maureen said the last year was 'disastrous' for tourism in the area.

'From September to November we had petrol blockades which brought cancellations, followed by the floods, which deterred many, together with train chaos.

'Just when spring should have helped recovery came foot and mouth and a 60 per cent downturn for holiday venues, shops and businesses,' said Maureen, who hopes Tor Cottage's success will provide a boost for tourism locally.

She does not provide evening meals, so her guests use local restaurants and visit many of the attractions and shops in the area.

The AA Award is the most recent in a string of prizes. Just months after opening, Tor Cottage was voted Best in the West and regional winner of the England Tourist Boards England for Excellence.

Maureen followed this up by winning the national England for Excellence title, known as the Oscar of the tourism industry, when she rubbed shoulders with the likes of other award winners, Rick Stein, Bill Bryson, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Judith Chalmers.

And hot on the heels of this trophy came the Brilliance Award from Which? Hotel Guide.

But Maureen is not in the industry for awards.

'I never expected it — I just love doing it,' she said.