IT may have have been a big surprise when the Magic of Coronation Street was crowned king of the tourist attractions.

But according to head of operations Sue Grindrod it was no more than the Blackpool complex deserved.

After two years of operation and £250,000 extra investment, success has been quick in coming and was topped a week ago with the title of best large visitor attraction in the North West Tourist Board's annual awards - beating off stiff competition from Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Knowsley Safari Park.

"We couldn't believe it but I think we deserved to win with all the investment we have put in this year," gushed a thrilled Sue.

"We won the marketing award last year so this is like a step up. It's great to have achieved so much in such a short space of time."

Sue feels credit for the accolade should go to the staff, explaining: "They are the ones the public meet at the front doors and keep it going.

"There is quite a young staff here and they have all made a real effort. This award is for each of them."

She feels the win also reflects well on Blackpool itself during a quiet season which has caused concern in some corners.

"It's only representative of what is happening all over the country," she said.

"What we need is more co-operation between everyone in the town. We need to sit down together and talk about what we can do."

The coveted trophy will now take pride of place inside the complex for all to see and the team will be working on its entry for the English Tourist Board awards in November.

And with big plans to improve the attraction next year there is every chance they will return from London with yet another award.

"We don't expect to win," says Sue, "it's just an honour to be invited down to London. But then again we didn't expect to win the North West award either."

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