By Julie Morgan

Last updated at 13:00, Thursday, 05 April 2012

Two popular tourist attractions are in the running for top awards.

The Beacon in Whitehaven and Muncaster Castle, near Ravenglass, are both finalists in this year’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

The Beacon is through to the Access for All Tourism Award category, while Muncaster Castle is a finalist in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category.

They will go forward to the awards ceremony, which is being held on May 22. All finalists are guaranteed to receive either a gold, silver, bronze or highly commended award.

Ian Stephens, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said: “It is extremely important for our tourism businesses to be recognised by their peers both locally and nationally.

“Each year the winners from the annual Cumbria Tourism Awards are encouraged to enter the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

“These entrants are then judged and subsequently the winners from each of the 19 categories are recognised as the best in the country. I’m delighted to say that this year is no exception.”

First published at 11:27, Thursday, 05 April 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk