THE champions of Worcestershire tourism have been announced at a leading awards ceremony.

Among the winners was the county’s best cabbie, and there was a special award for Angela Tidmarsh, a council tourism officer who has almost single-handedly built up one of Worcestershire’s most popular tourist attractions.

The Worcestershire Welcome Awards, held at the Orchard Cafe and sponsored by your Worcester News, have for the second year highlighted the sterling work of the county’s independent traders and entrepreneurs in making the county a place to visit.

With more than 40 finalists selected by a public vote it was very much the people’s choice, with winners picked by the judges.

Judges selected the winners following visits to each of the venues or in the case of best taxi driver category, by journeying in the back of a cab on sample trips.

Leading figures from the Midlands tourist industry gathered at the Countryside Centre venue to honour the best and brightest on Wednesday night.

Winners included Angela Tidmarsh, who was given the gong for Oustanding Contribution to Worcestershire, judged by the Visit Worcestershire Board.

Mrs Tidmarsh, a Wychavon District Council officer, was praised for building up the Blossom Trail, now nearing its 30th anniversary, which draws in thousands of visitors to the Vale of Evesham each year.

She has also been instrumental in drumming up publicity and trade for the Pershore Plum Festival and the Asparagus Festival.

Also winning awards were the evening’s hosts the Orchard Cafe, run by Guy and Nett Hands, for Eat and Drink, while best Grand Day Out went to Severn Valley Railway and A Day To Remember went to the Malvern Spring Gardening Show.

Broadway Manor Cottages came away with an armful of awards, winning both the Sustainable Tourism Awards and Stunning Self-Catering.

Best B&B went to Windrush House, also in Broadway; Hottest Independent Hotel went to Brockencote Hall in Chaddesley Corbett and Top Taxi Driver – new for this year – went to Sue Penny, of Malvern.

Winners got a commemorative oval blue plaque for public display, while all finalists had a framed certificate. Kevin Ward, Worcester News editor, said: “We’re delighted to have been the lead sponsor of these awards for a second year.

“Tourism is an essential part of the county’s economy and it was inspiring to see so many people among the nominees who are hugely committed to making Worcestershire a place visitors want to return to time and again. Simon Tipple, of Visit Worcestershire, said: “We were delighted to see more people making the effort to vote for their favourites this year.

“The finalists were a mix of familiar faces from last year and a host of new names being short-listed.”

For more information on places to visit go to www.visitworcestershire.org.

ROLE OF HONOUR: A Grand Day Out Winner: Severn Valley Railway Highly Commended: Jinney Ring Craft Centre, Hanbury; Witley Court A Day To Remember Winner: Malvern Spring Gardening Show Highly Commended: Upton Jazz Festival Best B&B Breakfast Winner: Windrush House, Broadway Highly commended: Myrtle Cottage B&B, Eckington; Phepson Farm, Himbleton Eat & Drink Worcestershire Winner: The Orchard Café, Worcester Highly Commended: Kings Arms Ombersley; St Ann’s Well Café, Malvern  Hottest Independent Hotel Winner: Brockencote Hall, Kidderminster Highly Commended: Cottage in the Wood, Malvern Wells Stunning Self-catering Winner: Broadway Manor Cottages, Broadway Highly Commended: JDR Leisure, Worcester; Forest View Retreat, Callow Hill, Rock Sustainable Tourism Award Winner: Broadway Manor Cottages, Broadway Highly Commended: The Fold, Bransford Top Taxi Driver Winner: Sue Penny, Malvern Highly commended: Anne Murphy, Worcester Outstanding Contribution To Tourism Winner: Angela Tidmarsh – Wychavon District Council