ONE of Lancashire's top horror attractions has been named as the Alternative Tourism Experience of the Year by the Ribble Valley Tourism Association in its Stars in Tourism awards.

The Scare Kingdom Scream Park, which is in its seventh year, is located at Hawkshaw Farm Park, the home of Mrs Dowson’s Ice Cream, and was been applauded for its innovative approach to entertainment, offering guests unique scare experiences.

The site now houses the UK's newest scare attraction, Manormortis, which came as a result of a recent £250,000 investment the team made to transform the site.

The park was given the award at the glittering ceremony at Browsholme Hall alongside other winners including the Derby Arms in Longridge and The Aspinall Arms in Mitton who were awarded Transformational Tourism awards.

Mitton Hall received the Quality Tourism award alongside The Gibbon Bridge Hotel near Chipping.

Amanda Dowson, co-owner of Scare Kingdom Scream Park, said: "We’re so proud of what we’ve created with Scare Kingdom Scream Park, not only for the experience itself, but more so, for what the park has done for the local area in terms of bringing something brand new to the table.

"We regularly get people travelling the length and breadth of the country coming to the area specifically to come and visit us.

"We’ve ceased an opportunity to open the borders of Lancashire to a whole new audience and we’re delighted to do so.”

The park is a joint venture between Amanda and Eric Dowson and AtmosFEAR Scare Entertainment.

Also among the winners was the general manager of Stanley House Hotel and Spa, Philip Wharton, who gained the Unsung Hero award.

Wedding coordinator at Stanley House, Joy Parker, also collected the Individual Excellence in Customer Care Award. S Sales and marketing manager, Wendy Hope, said: “We have a fantastic team at Stanley House, all who are dedicated to ensure that each guest has an experience like no other.

“I am really proud of both Philip and Joy for being recognised in this way.

“With 40 years of service under his belt Philip doesn’t take the plaudits but has been central in helping to transform Stanley House into becoming a world-class hotel, attracting people from across the UK.

“Excellence in customer care is the cornerstone of everything we do at Stanley House but Joy is someone who really shines.

"Her values are based on the simple, yet often over-looked commodity of listening.

"She’s always forthcoming with new ideas to suit modern day living and this has been widely appreciated by our bride and grooms to be.”