AWARD winners from Worcest-ershire have been honoured at the tourism industry's regional Oscars.

The 2005 Heart Of England Excellence In Tourism Awards were presented at a gala dinner in Worcester Cathedral.

The county scooped three gold awards, two silver and one bronze, showing just what Worcestershire has to offer.

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

Tourism manager Angela Harford praised the team behind her.

"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."

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."

The evening was compered by BBC Midlands Today presenter Kay Alexander and Heart Of England Tourism chairman Sir William Lawrence. It was a huge success, attracting hundreds of representatives from around the region.