A promotional campaign for a popular Tynedale hotel has scooped two top gongs at the Northern Marketing Awards.

The Best PR Campaign and Best Tourism and Leisure Campaign awards were two of three won by Langley Castle’s PR agency, Catapult PR.

The judges commented that Langley’s campaign throughout the year was hugely effective, caught the eye of the Government and helped put British tourism back on its feet.

They went on to say that they were “charmed by the campaign,” which dealt with a major challenge in the form of lockdown but found creative ways to overcome obstacles.

The business impacts were evidenced in Langley’s reception area, where visitors arrived from all over the UK highlighting press stories that had appeared in local and national newspapers which had inspired them to book.

The exposure also helped the castle achieve a 97 per cent occupancy rate after the first lockdown, helping to support jobs at the castle, as well as spreading economic benefit around the county.

Castle manager Margaret Livingstone-Evans said: “We are delighted to have our marketing rewarded in this way and to know that our efforts are also helping to keep the county on the tourism map. We shall continue to stay positive and work with what is possible, rather than focusing on what is not.”

Jane Hunt, of Catapult PR, said she was delighted to win another award for Langley after fighting off tough competition.

She added: “There is no substitute for passion, ideas and a pro-active approach.”