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.

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."

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."

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