HISTORIC rural estate and college campus, Kirkley Hall, has been named 2015’s best wedding venue.

Northumberland College’s Kirkley Hall Campus, near Ponteland, has won the title of Wedding Venue for the North East 2015.

The venue received the accolade at the North of England Wedding Awards in association with The Wedding Guide UK during a glitzy gala dinner ceremony at York Racecourse.

The 17th century estate, with grade II listed hall and gardens is available for weddings and private functions.

The North of England Wedding Awards reward client service excellence and recognise businesses that go the extra mile for their customers, providing outstanding service and inspiring their customers to actively promote them.

Kirkley Hall Ltd’s general manager Wayne Vickers said: “I and all the team are completely overjoyed by this fantastic achievement.

“We are always grateful just having the privilege to be part of a couple’s special day so to get recognition for first class services provided by the whole team makes all the hard work worthwhile.

“Competition in our category was very strong seeing us up against some extremely well established and credible venues so we were honoured to make it through as a finalist.

“To go on and win the award was unbelievable.”

Wedding Venue for the North East 2015 was one of the most hotly-contested categories at the awards with 10 other entrants.

During 2014/15, weddings at Kirkley Hall hit a record high, with 82 weddings taking place during the financial year.