A TRIO of East Lancashire restaurants, hotels and events scooped top prizes at a prestigious tourism awards.

The accolades were part of the 2008/09 Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards which took place at Ewood Park, Blackburn, today.

Leading the East Lancashire contingent was The Shireburn Arms Hotel, Hurst Green, which claimed the Small Hotel of the Year Award.

Northcote Manor, Langho, which is jointly owned by renowned TV chef Nigel Haworth, went on to take the Taste Lancashire 08 Award.

Completing the prize winners was the Lancashire Food Festival, Accrington, which scooped the Tourism Event of the Year. This award was voted for by the general public during May.

Steve Alcock, owner of the Shireburn Arms, said he was delighted with the win.

He said:"This is a fantastic award for us. It is an award for the staff and shows that hard work can deliver something positive.

"We are in an area were there are 30 restaurants in close proximity and the Ribble Valley is a great place to live and work."

Nigel Haworth, who accepted the award alongside business partner Craig Bancroft, said East Lancashire was now firmly established on the food map.

He said: "The renaissance of Lancashire food is my life.

"In the Ribble Valley the produce is second to none and there has been a reinvigoration of people wanting to provide great cooking."

Kerry Smith, events manager for Leisure in Hyndburn, said the award would boost the profile of the Lancashire Food Festival.

She said: "The town celebrates the event and it is brings local produce to the forefront and makes it available for local people."

In the Self Catering Holiday of the Year category, Wolfen Mill Country Retreats, Chipping, was highly commended.

Blacko's Malkin Tower Farm Holiday Cottages was also highly commended in the Sustainable Tourism category.