EAST Lancashire can hold its head high after taking home eight Lancashire Tourism Awards.

More than 600 people attended the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool to celebrate the success of businesses, individuals and partnerships across Lancashire.

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The winners from East Lancashire included The Millstone at Mellor which received the Guest Accommodation Award, and Gisburn’s La Locanda Ristorante which earned the Taste Lancashire Award.

The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery in Rossendale took home the Cultural Venue Award, Browsholme Hall in Clitheroe won the Sustainable Tourism Award, Lady Teal in Burnley won the Luxury Experience Award and The Dearden Tea Rooms in Haslingden scooped the New Business Award. Oswaldtwistle Mills claimed the Retail Experience Award and the Best For Groups Award.

Boyd Hargreaves, managing director of Oswaldtwistle Mills, said: “I am very proud for all connected with Oswaldtwistle Mills to be recognised as best retail experience and best for groups at the 2015 Lancashire Tourism Awards.

“The achievement is testament to all the hard work and effort that has been put into developing our offer as a leading destination site for tourism, leisure and retail.

“Having this recognition on a regional scale and being voted through independent judges from the hospitality industry is a great accolade for the business.

Chris Hood, the co-owner of The Dearden Tea Rooms, said he was over the moon to see his business win top prize in its category.

He said: “We are delighted that we won the New Business Award. We have only been open a year and the business is getting better and better. It is about putting Haslingden on the map. My business partner Andrea Britlwood, all the staff and I have worked hard and this is great recognition for it.”