The 2008/09 awards have seen 87 tourism businesses and organisations from across the county compete in categories from Large Hotel of the Year to the Taste Lancashire 08 Award.

There are 13 categories to be contested this year and a shortlist of 43 businesses has now been produced.

All will be in contention at the awards luncheon and ceremony on Wednesday, June 18 at Blackburn Rovers Football Club.

BBC North West Tonight co-presenter Ranvir Singh is this year's host and the event will also feature a cooking demonstration from TV celebrity chefs The Hairy Bikers to mark Taste Lancashire 08 – The Year of Food and Drink.

Winners of a number of categories will automatically qualify for this year's England's Northwest Tourism Awards, organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

If successful, they may go on to take part in the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence.

Mike Wilkinson, chief executive of Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board said: "In the past two years four of our award winners have gone on to achieve regional success and two have achieved the ultimate prize – success in the national awards. So it just shows what can be achieved."

The Lancashire Tourism Awards 2008 ... final shortlist

B&B/Guest Accommodation
* Little Stubbins Bed & Breakfast
* Claughton-on-Brock Nr Garstang
* Number One, South Beach, Blackpool
* Whitestake Farm Bed & Breakfast, Nr Preston
Small Hotel
* Bartle Hall Country Hotel, Nr Preston
* Crofters Hotel, Garstang
* The Shireburn Hotel, Hurst Green
Large Hotel
* Barton Grange Hotel, Nr Preston
* Big Blue Hotel, Blackpool
* Elgin Hotel, Blackpool
* Sleepwell Carousel Hotel, Blackpool
Small Visitor Attraction
* Cobble Hey Farm and Gardens, Claughton-on-Brock, Nr Garstang
* Farmer Ted's Farm Park, Ormskirk
* Lancaster Canal Packet Boats
* Williamson Park, Lancaster
Large Visitor Attraction
* National Football Museum, Preston
* Pleasure Beach, Blackpool
* Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
* WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Ormskirk
Caravan Holiday Park
* Eastham Hall Caravan Park, Lytham St Annes
* Newton Hall Holiday Park, Blackpool
Self Catering Holiday
* The Beach House, Blackpool
* Bleasdale Cottages, Bleasdale
* Malkin Tower Farm Holiday Cottages, Blacko
* Wolfen Mill Country Retreats, Chipping
Tourism Website
* Blackpool Zoo - www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk
* Little Green Men, Chorley – www.littlegreenmen.co.uk
* Pleasure Beach, Blackpool – www.pleasurebeachblackpool.com
* Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green – www.ribbyhall.co.uk
Taste Lancashire 08 Award
* Cobble Hey Farm and Gardens, Claughton-on-Brock, Nr Garstang
* The Foodworks at Lancaster House Hotel, Lancaster
* Northcote Manor, Langho
* Weezos Modern European Restaurant, Clitheroe
Business Tourism Award
* Barton Grange Hotel, Nr Preston
* Pleasure Beach, Blackpool
* Sleepwell Carousel Hotel, Blackpool
Sustainable Tourism Award
* Bleasdale Cottages, Bleasdale
* Malkin Tower Farm Holiday Cottages, Blacko
* RSPB Leighton Moss Nature Reserve, Silverdale
* Sunset Park, Hambleton
Best Tourism Experience
* Downy Duckling Experience – WWT Martin Mere, Ormskirk
* Inside Spa, Nelson
* Morecambe Bay Cross Bay Walks
* Santa Steam Specials – East Lancashire Railway
Tourism Event of the Year
This award is decided by public vote. Thirty events from 2007, chosen by all 14 Lancashire districts and the Tourist Board, are currently being voted on from a listing that can be found on visitlancashire.com

First, second and third-placed events will be announced at the awards lunch and ceremony on Wednesday, June 18 at Blackburn Rovers Football Club.

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