FOUR East Lancashire businesses were winners at an awards ceremony which championed outstanding contributors to the region's tourism industry.

The quartet were among 13 winners at the annual Tourism Awards, organised by Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, which celebrate success and good practice.

The winning four, selected from 77 entries, were Wolfen Mill Country Retreats, Chipping; Huntley's farmfood shop and restaurant of Samlesbury; The Three Fishes pub, Mitton and Stanley House Hotel, Mellor.

The Three Fishes pub which only opened 18 months took the Taste of Lancashire and Blackpool Award and was saluted by judges for "shouting about local produce in every way".

Sales and marketing manager Kaye Mathew said the award was "testament to what we're all about, which is supplying local produce and supporting local growers, farmers and suppliers in the region."

Huntley's, which comprises a farm shop, butchers and 96 seater cafe and makes an array of homemade ice cream was named Tourism Retailer of the Year with judges impressed how it was "consistently expanding and innovating".

Operations director of the company, which has recently unveiled a £1.5 expansion, Angie Webb said the success was down to the efforts of its 40 staff and for owner Eddie Cowpe and his wife Kate's willingness "to take a risk and go for it."

Stanley House, a 12 bedroom hotel which only opened in Mellor 18 months ago, was crowned Small Hotel of the Year thanks to what judges dubbed its "first class facilities".

Hotel spokeswoman Tracy Bosanko said the award was because of the "hard work" of all its team which has seen the venue host over 500 events already.

Wolfen Mill Country Retreats, set in the picturesque Forest of Bowland won the Self Catering Holiday of the Year section with judges branding it: "The ideal rural retreat."

Partner of the business which comprises 10 luxury holiday properties, Michel Lawson put the triumph down to a determination to providing customers with "stress busting breaks."

Former Coronation street bad guy Richard Hillman, actor Brian Capron, presented the awards. He said: "As Richard Hillman my associations with the North West have shall we say been a little dubious in the past. But this was a very pleasant occasion."

l Oswaldtwistle Mills Shopping Village, Oswaldtwistle, was among the companies highly commended, picking up the honour in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year section.

It is the latest success for the complex, which was also voted Best Market, Mill Shop or Factory Outlet for Groups by readers of Group Travel Organiser magazine.