SOME of the area's top tourist businesses reaped the rewards of their success at this year's tourism Oscars'.

Successful businesses throughout South Lakeland and Eden were among the winners of the coveted Cumbria Tourist Board awards, which were presented at the tourism body's annual meeting in Barrow.

South Lakeland hotels swept the board in the hotel of the year category. Windermere's high-class house in the country and favourite haunt of the likes of Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise, and the Beckhams, The Samling, took first prize with Ambleside's Rothay Manor taking the silver award.

Bronze went to Windermere's Langdale Chase whose reception manager Faye Mitchell snatched the award for outstanding customer service.

Windermere bed and breakfast Denehurst Guest House won silver in the B&B guesthouse of the year category while the town's Low House gained a highly-commended along with Hawkshead's Walker Ground Manor.

Ambleside's Pudding Cottage was named self-catering holiday of the year while the caravan site of the year award went to Staveley's Ashes Lane caravan and camping club.

Windermere's Low Wood Hotel won tourism website award, while the World of Beatrix Potter's Taylor of Gloucester tea room, at Bowness, took first prize on the food and drink front.

Ullswater Steamers in Glenridding was named best large attraction, with Penrith's Rheged coming second.