TWO bed and breakfast establishments near Dartmouth have scooped top prizes in the 7th annual Devon Tourism Awards.

Held in the Great Hall of the University of Exeter and hosted by Judi Spiers and with special guest Olympian Jo Pavey, 75 awards were presented to winners in categories as diverse as Glamp­ing, Spa & Wellbeing, Hotels, Restaurants, Pubs and Attractions.

In the serviced accommodation category, Kaywana Hall, Kingswear, won gold for the best bed and breakfast of the year, with Lynnie and Paul Jolly’s Higher Gitcombe boutique hotel gaining silver.

The National Trust at Greenway was highly commended in the large attraction of the year category, as was the Dart Marina Hotel at Dartmouth in the spa and well being experience award.

Chairman of the Awards Panel, David Fursdon, said: ‘I know how important the tourist industry is to Devon. The wonderful reputation that this very special county enjoys in this area depends on maintaining the highest standards and this year’s winners across a wide range of categories illustrate just that and personify one word, excellence.’

The winers now go forward to the national tourism awards to be held in London next April.