A Malvern hotel is the toast of the town after winning two national awards for its wine list.

The Cottage In The Wood in Holywell Road scooped the accolades in the Cond Nast Johansen's awards and was also in the top four in the Most Excellent Restaurant category.

The hotel boasts a wine list with 600 wines, from popular brands to some very unusual ones rarely seen in the UK, and also stocks more than 100 half-bottles for people who want to sample a fine wine without breaking the bank.

The hotel's publicity office,. Kate Westmacott, said the wine list success was down to hotel owner John Pattin, who was passionate about wine and enjoyed sharing his interest with the guests.

"The wine list is his baby. A lot of work goes into it and that has paid off. These are prestigious awards," she said.

The hotel, which won the Hotels And Spas category as well as the overall prize for the best wine list, was commended not just for the size and choice on its wine list but for its policy of a maximum mark-up price of £18.50 plus VAT on many of its wines.

While some hotels charge three, four or even five times the cost price for wine, the Cottage In The Wood policy does not exclude customers from enjoying wines due to price, Kate added.