Dorchester and the surrounding area has come out on top in the Dorset Tourism Awards with businesses and organisations bringing home more than five awards.

The winners were announced in a day-long awards ceremony, with three further awards to be announced in May, when winners will gather at Sculpture by the Lakes.

And it was Sculpture by the Lakes which picked up two awards and named a finalist in the Tourism Event/Festival of the Year Award. It picked up silver in Small Visitor Attraction of the Year and bronze in the resilience and Innovation Award.

Dorset Museum won silver in Large Visitor Attraction of the Year. A spokesman said: "Congratulations to Moors Valley Country Park and Forest on its gold as the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year in the Dorset Tourism Awards.

"It's been a pleasure to be finalists with such a great attraction and we're over the moon to win silver."

The Yurt at Hollands Farm House gained silver in Glamping Business of the Year and Greenwood Grange Holidays also received silver in Self-catering Accommodation of the Year.

The King's Arms received silver in the New Tourism Business Award, of which Apex Expeditions in Poundbury was commended.

Awards organiser Robin Barker, of Services to Tourism, said: "I have been truly wowed by the capacity of Dorset Tourism businesses both to innovate and to give back. I take my hat off to you all."

For a full list of finalists, visit dorsettourismawards.org.uk

Professor Peter Jones, chairman of the judges, said: "Over the past two years the tourism industry has experienced the very lows of lockdown and the highs of the demands for staycations, all in the same year.

"What this year's judging has shown is how resilient, creative and innovative Dorset tourism businesses have had to be to survive.

"As this year's winners have shown they are working exceptionally hard to overcome any setbacks and to showcase the excellence that Dorset tourism offers all of its visitors."

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