It's one of the premier tourist attractions in the region, so it's fitting that Worcester Cathedral was chosen to host the Heart of England Tourist Board awards ceremony, designed to recognised the people who have done.

most to bring visitors to the Midlands. And Worcestershire showed just what it has to offer by bagging three gold awards, two silvers and a bronze.

ABOVE: The former Mayor of Worcester, Derek Prodger, enjoys a glass of wine. 41400719

LEFT: Musical accompaniment made it go with a swing. 41400718

OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP: Heart Of England Tourist board staff (from left) Liz Harding, Lynn Higgins, Erica Hudson and Alison Powell. 41400713

OPPOSITE PAGE: BOTTOM: Tamworth tourist information centre staff (from left) Alison Armstrong, Chris Sidwells, Amanda Hoy, Carol Cotterill and Jo Sands. 41400712

Tourism for all award Hidelow House

Hidelow House, near Bromyard, scooped gold in the Tourism For All category of the awards.

Stuart and Pauline Diplock pride themselves on providing state-of-the-art accommodation for people with disabilities in two of their six cottages at Acton Beauchamp.

The couple also picked up a silver award in the Tastes Of The Heart category for their range of home-baked meals, which are cooked with the best of local ingredients.

Mr Diplock said the couple always listen to what their customers tell them, and this enables them to provide the best service possible.

He said: "We have taken the advice of our guests, as they know best."

Mrs Diplock added: "People keep coming back, and our cottages are occupied for most of the year."

TOP: Mayor of Worcester

Aubrey Tarbuck makes his speech to delegates. 41400706

The sumptuous scene inside the Cathedral

Tourist information centre award Malvern

Staff at Malvern Tourist Information Centre were thrilled to pick up a gold in the TIC category.

Tourism manager Angela Harford praised her team.

"I am so proud of them; they are so good, and it's wonderful that at last they have been acknowledged," she said.

"It's been a team effort. They are excellent and always there to look after our customers and provide a service.

"It's about being there 101 per cent. They know their product and nothing is too much trouble for them."

TOP: Howard Marshall with Canon David Stanton. 41400711

ABOVE: Canon Marshall with Mayor of Worcester Aubrey Tarbuck. 41400714

RIGHT: BBC Midlands Today presenter Kay Alexander, who compered the event, with Sir William Lawrence, the chairman of Heart Of England Tourism. 41400710

Tourism supremo Sir William Lawrence on stage. 41400703

Pictures by Sam Furlong. To order prints, call Jackie Mann at the Worcester News on 01905 742261, quoting the reference number under or on the picture. Prints cost £10 (10x8), £6 (9x6) + 75p postage and packing.