THE Forest of Bowland has been shortlisted as the 2018 Best Holiday Destination in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards.

Readers were invited to send in their suggestions for the greatest sites in the countryside.

A panel of expert judges scrutinised all the suggestions and deliberated for hours to select five outstanding contenders in each category.

Hetty Byrne, sustainable tourism officer for the Forest of Bowland AONB said: ''We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for this prestigious award.

"Here in the Forest of Bowland we work closely with tourism organisations, businesses and communities to help protect our beautiful landscape, while at the same time increasing opportunities for visitors to discover and enjoy its special qualities.

"As one of 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Forest of Bowland offers some of the UK’s best countryside for walking, cycling and wildlife-watching, and it's great that the BBC Countryfile Magazine readers think so too."

Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire said: "The Forest of Bowland is a jewel in Lancashire’s crown, an unspoilt destination full of natural wonders to thrill, excite and surprise the visitor."

Voting can take place until midnight on Monday, March 5.

Readers can vote online on the BBC Countryfile Magazine website, www.countryfile.com/awards, or by post, sending the form in the February issue of the magazine to BBC Countryfile Magazine, 2nd floor, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol, BS1 3BN.