AN AWARD-winning wedding venue in Bolton has been named the best countryside site in the region to tie the knot.

The Wellbeing Farm was handed the prize for best countryside wedding venue at the North West finals of the Wedding Industry Awards.

Once a neglected farm, the updated site now specialises in stress-free, fun and unusual wedding experiences.

It will now go on to represent the North West in the national finals in London on January 16 of next year.

"It is an amazing achievement," said Celia Gaze, managing director of the Wellbeing Farm.

"The main criteria which the judges were looking for was direct feedback from couples who have held their wedding at the venue. Winning this category was based upon us providing couples with a unique wedding experience which they loved.

"The team at The Wellbeing Farm are obviously delighted at this fantastic achievements – it’s been a great team effort with our Llamas, Alpacas and Donkeys playing a key role too."

Mrs Gaze turned the farm into a venue after leaving a job in the NHS due to work-related stress.

The complex originally offered a cafe, cookery and butchery classes and llama trekking, but in 2014 a building previously used to house horses was turned into a 'wedding barn'.

In June, the Wellbeing Farm expanded, adding a micro-brewery called the Edgworth Brew Company as part of a £750,000 project to brew its own ales.

To find out more about the venue, visit: www.thewellbeingfarm.co.uk/whats-on/.