A NUMBER of West Devon and East Cornwall businesses have scored highly in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2012.

The awards celebrate the most outstanding tourism businesses in the South West, recognising those who excel in the region's top industry.

Gidleigh Park at Chagford won a silver in the Taste of the South West award and a highly commended in the small hotel of the year. Sue Williams, the general manager of Gidleigh and the Bath Priory, won an outstanding achievement award.

The large visitor attraction gold award went to the National Trust's Cotehele near St Dominick .

Two awards were won by the Arundell Arms Hotel at Lifton — a gold for business tourism and a highly commended for tourism activity, sport and experience of the year.

St Mellion International Resort was awarded large hotel of the year and Pentillie Castle bed and breakfast and guest accommodation of the year.

Sixty-seven awards were presented at the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay on Monday night.

Chair of judges Alistair Handyside said: 'Tourism will be one of the keys to economic recovery in South West England and this year's finalists show that there is no shortage of innovation in the region.

'They, and all the entrants, should be congratulated for their great efforts. Their creativity, across both start-ups and established businesses, reinvesting or diversifying, has been immense.

'They have given us a further platform to shout about the diverse quality in the region at a national level, where we expect to do well.'