Awards night honours businesses helping to provide the county with a thriving visitor economy.

Tourism is now worth a stunning £3.8 billion to Lancashire’s economy and dozens of men and women who have worked to make it such a success had their talents rewarded during a glittering awards ceremony.

This year’s Lancashire Tourism Awards were staged at Blackburn Cathedral, a fitting venue following the competion of the ambitious Cathedral Quarter development which has helped to transform the town.

Ruth Connor, chief executive of the organisers, Marketing Lancashire, said: ‘A thriving visitor economy makes such a difference. The Lancashire visitor economy is worth £3.8 billion annually and continues to grow year after year. I believe we have the people, the products and above all the right attitude to get this county noticed and appreciated.

‘We must be very proud of the many outstanding individuals here tonight, representing the best of what Lancashire tourism has to offer.

‘Tonight’s Lancashire Tourism Awards are all about Lancashire’s amazing tourism businesses, experiences and, of course our people. It’s about celebrating and recognising the quality that we have in our tourism industry that attracts over 64 million people to the county.

‘We said we’d return to Blackburn for the Lancashire Tourism Awards, once the Cathedral Quarter work had been completed. The transformation and the difference that the development has made is wonderful. I must congratulate all those involved in making this happen.’

The evening, supported by host sponsors Blackburn with Darwen Council and headline sponsor University of Central Lancashire, was presented by broadcaster Bill Turnbull.

Among the many awards was one for ‘Tourism Superstar’, with the winner decided by an online public vote. The winner was Leye D Johns from VIVA Blackpool, which transformed a large, empty Mecca Bingo Hall into a one room entertainment and events complex, dedicated to providing quality, live entertainment for Blackpool’s many visitors. In four years he built audiences to 70,000 visitors, brought much needed local jobs to local people and helped support many local charities.

THE WINNERS

Best hotel

Northcote, Langho

Boutique accommodation

Hipping Hall, Leck

Self catering

Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages, Hambleton

Small visitor attraction

Carnforth Station Heritage Centre

Large visitor attraction

The Blackpool Tower

Visitor experience

St Annes Beach Huts, Lytham St Annes

Tourism pub

The Three Fishes, Whalley

Taste Lancashire Awards

La Locanda Ristorante Italiano, Gisburn

Sustainable tourism

Browsholme Hall and The Tithe Barn, near Clitheroe

Access for all award

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Conference venue

Winter Gardens Blackpool

Wedding venue

The Wellbeing Farm, Turton

Small Tourism event

Chorley Flower Show

Large Tourism event

Vintage by the Sea, Morecambe

Cultural venue

Burnley Mechanics, Burnley

Lancashire Producers and makers

Bowland Brewery, Clitheroe

New business award

Lancaster Music CIC