LUXURY hotel Bovey Castle is one of just four tourism businesses in Devon to be shortlisted as finalists in the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, four of which are from Devon.

The hotel in North Bovey will be battling it out in the category of Large Hotel of the Year.

The finalists will have to wait until June 3 to find out if they have won Gold, Silver or Bronze at the awards ceremony at Aerospace Bristol.

The national awards, which have been championing excellence in England’s tourism industry for more than 35 years, celebrate quality, innovation, best practice and exceptional customer service.

Finalists represent the highest standards across accommodation, attractions, experiences, food and drink, accessibility and business events.

The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence are delivered in collaboration with 21 regional competitions across England.

Andrew Stokes, Director at VisitEngland, said: ‘These awards honour the very best businesses and individuals in tourism, who are the driving force in an industry that delivers growth to local economies across England.

‘I thank them for their dedicated service, congratulate them on achieving finalist status and wish them every success.’

Tourism businesses across the county are now invited to begin their own journey to national recognition and enter the Devon Tourism Awards.

Entries close on 31 May, and links to free online entry can be found here www.devontourismawards.org.uk