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The best of Blackpool

Blackpool's tourism industry turned out in force to celebrate the best that the resort has to offer.

TV actress Sally Lindsay hosted the annual Tourism Awards event at the De Vere Hotel, where more than a dozen businesses were given honours.

The principal award - the Special Recognition Award - went to Amanda Thompson, boss of Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

In a recorded speech to the audience, Ms Thompson said she was thrilled by the award and was proud to be an ambassador for Blackpool. She said it was vitally important for Blackpool's future that all business people in the visitor economy also served as ambassadors.

There was also an award for Brilliance - Blackpool's stunning new town centre sound and light show - which was awarded Tourism Experience Of The Year.

The awards came at the end of a year in which Blackpool saw its headline visitor numbers increase from 10million  to more than 12million.

The full list of winners were:

Guest Accommodation Of The Year: Four Seasons

Hotel Of The Year: The Strand

Self Catering Accommodation Of The Year: Queens Mansions

Sustainable Tourism Award: Sandcastle Waterpark

Marketing Initiative Award: SeaLife Centre

Taste Of Blackpool Award: Jali

Visitor Attraction Of The Year: Blackpool Zoo

Excellence In Customer Care Award: Pleasure Beach Resort

Tourism Experience Of The Year: Brilliance

People Development Award: Liberty's On The Square

Tourism Website Of The Year: The Homecliffe Hotel

Best Night Time Experience: The Syndicate

Business Tourism Award: The Hilton Hotel

Special Recognition Award: Amanda Thompson