AN eco-friendly hotel in the Ribble Valley was a double winner at the tourism industry’s answer to the Oscars.

Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex, Langho, scooped the top prize in the Small Hotel of the Year and Sustainable Tourism Award categories in the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards.

Elsewhere in East Lancashire, the recently-opened Brockholes Nature Reserve, near Samlesbury, won the Marketing Campaign of the Year prize.

There were also commendations for Clitheroe Food Festival, Canal Boat Cruises in Hoghton, Burnley Mechanics Theatre and Brian Hall, a volunteer conservationist from Burnley.

But the Mytton Fold team had the biggest cause for celebration at the glitz-filled ceremony at Blackpool Pleasure Beach on Thursday night - after previously missing out when nominated.

Director Barbara Bryan said the Whalley Road hotel started life as a farmhouse bed and breakfast, which was set up by her parents when disease wiped out their herd of pigs.

It now boasts 43 rooms, an 18-hole golf course and two function rooms.

Barbara said the Sustainable Tourism Award was particularly pleasing because they had worked hard for their green credentials.

She said: “In our new extension we have six solar panels which provide 90 per cent of its heat in summer and 60 per cent in winter.

“Also in the new building, we have an air source heat pump, which uses heat from the air to warm the building.

“On top of that, we recycle two types of plastic, cans, tins, bottles, paper, oil and food.

“We take a proactive approach to green issues, so we keep the best walking routes on display in the hotel and encourage people not to use their cars.

“We always wanted to be green because of our farming background. We were always aware of the environment, so we’re very proud of this.”

Mytton Fold will be entered into the pot in the National Tourism Awards.

Winner - Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex (Small Hotel of the Year and Sustainable Tourism Award sponsored by First Transpennine Express).

Winner - Brockholes Nature Reserve (Marketing Campaign of the Year sponsored by Workhouse Creative Marketing).

Third Place - Clitheroe Food Festival (Best Tourism Event of the Year sponsored by Fat Media).

Highly Commended - Burnley Mechanics Theatre (Small Visitor Attraction of the Year).

Highly Commended - Canal Boat Cruises in Hoghton (Self Catering Award sponsored by Links Signs and Graphics).

Highly Commended - Brian Hall, volunteer conservationist from Burnley (Making a Difference Award).

Finalist - Canal Boat Cruises in Hoghton (Small Visitor Attraction of the Year).

Finalist - Thornton Hall Farm Country Park near Earby (Small Visitor Attraction of the Year).

Finalist - Dam Head Barn in Nelson (Bed & Breakfast/Guest Accommodation of the Year).

Finalist - Meadowcroft Barn Bed & Breakfast in Edgworth (Bed & Breakfast/Guest Accommodation of the Year).

Finalist - Meadowcroft Barn Bed & Breakfast in Edgworth (Access for All Award sponsored by Eclipse Developments).

Finalist - Towneley Hall in Burnley (Large Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Burbage Holiday Group).

Finalist - Management Team at Stanley House Hotel in Mellor (Outstanding Customer Service Award).

Finalist - The Villa in Clitheroe (Taste Lancashire Award).

Finalist - Ye Olde Sparrowhawk in Fence (Taste Lancashire Award).

FInalist - Blackburn Visitor Centre (Visitor Information Provider Award).

FInalist - Discover Pendle Centre (Visitor Information Provider Award).

Finalist - Pendle Walking Festival (Marketing Campaign of the Year sponsored by Workhouse Creative Marketing).