TOURIST attractions and businesses across East Lancashire are celebrating after winning at the Lancashire Tourism Awards.

Eight firms from the area were awarded for excellence at the 10th annual event, held at Blackburn Cathedral.

Guests at the ceremony enjoyed live music from Blackburn and Darwen Brass Band and the Lancashire Jazz Youth Orchestra.

And Ribble Valley tourism businesses faired particularly well, with five venues honoured.

The Stirk House Hotel in Gisburn was named the best small hotel, while The Grand theatre at Clitheroe won the Small Visitor Attraction award.

Eaves Hall, at West Bradford, won the Wedding Venue award, The Assheton Arms, in Downham won the Tourism Pub award, and The Parkers Arms in Newton-in-Bowland won the Taste Lancashire award.

Manager at the Stirk House Hotel Denise Sinclair said: “We are extremely happy. It’s good for the hotel and for the staff. It was good team work that produced this award.

“It was an excellent night and a good turn out. It was good to see so many people supporting tourism in Lancashire. The Ribble Valley is on its own really.”

Joycelyn Meve, managing director at The Assheton Arms, said: “We’re over the moon. We faced stiff competition so to come out on top is fantastic.

“It’s a pat on the back for the team too.”

In Burnley, The Holiday Inn Express won the title of best large hotel.

Brockholes nature reserve, Samlesbury, was named the best place to hold a conference and meeting, and Canal Boat Cruises in Hoghton won the Self Catering Award.

Cedar Farm, in Mawdesley, won the Retail Experience award.

All the winners, except Cedar Farm and Eaves Hall, will now represent Lancashire in the national tourism awards in 2014.

Chief executive of event organiser Marketing Lancashire, Ruth Connor, said: “Tourism is of vital importance to the economic good health of Lancashire.

“All out finalists are deserving of recognition but our winners today have demonstrated that they are the best of the best of Lancashire’s tourism businesses and I congratulate them.”