VISITOR attractions, accommodation providers and restaurants across Tynedale are in the running for honours at the North-East England Tourism Awards.

Eight local enterprises from across the district stand a chance of picking up one of 15 awards after being shortlisted from a total of 143 entries.

Playing a major role in showcasing the range of high quality tourism businesses and experiences on offer to visitors across the North-East, the awards have continued to grow year on year.

This year sees the addition of three new categories; ‘Guided Tour of the Year’, ‘Self Catering Property of the Year’ and ‘Dog Friendly Business’.

Over 60 businesses entered the awards for the first time – 20 of which have made this year’s shortlist.

And leading the field is the Battlesteads hotel and restaurant in Wark, which has won a place on the shortlist in a total of five categories.

The business is in the running for dog friendly destination, hotel of the year, sustainable tourism, the taste award and tourism pub.

General manager Katie Meyrick-Scott said: “The North-East is home to so many fantastic tourism and hospitality businesses and so it is an honour to be recognised by the leading tourism awards in the region. ”

Carraw Bed and Breakfast, near Humshaugh, is one of four on the shortlist for the boutique accommodation/small hotel of the year award.

All three destinations in the running for the holiday park of the year title are in the district, with the accolade destined to go to either Northumbrian Water’s Kielder Waterside accommodation, Heathergate Country Park, at Lowgate, or Springhouse Country Park, near Slaley.

Hexhamshire’s Woodside Lodge could be named the best self catering property and the South Tynedale Railway at Alston features in the best small visitor attraction.

The historic Angel of Corbridge could also be selected as tourism pub of the year.

Sarah Stewart, chief executive at the NewcastleGateshead Initiative which works with the Northern Tourism Alliance to deliver the awards, said: “It’s fantastic to have another record-breaking year for entries and I’m delighted to see so many new businesses enter the awards.

“The tourism sector continues to thrive as the quality and variety of tourism businesses in the North-East of England maintain such a high standard.

“I’m always impressed to see the outstanding work the finalists have delivered and I look forward to celebrating their achievements with them at the awards ceremony in November.”

A total of 55 applications made this year’s shortlist from a wide range of tourism businesses across County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.

Northumbrian Water is supporting the awards for the fifth consecutive year, joined by Gateshead College as the headline sponsors for 2016.

The results will be announced at the glittering celebration on November 22 at Newcastle Civic Centre’s banqueting hall, hosted by BBC Radio Newcastle breakfast show presenter Alfie Joey.