ULLSWATER Steamers won the award for best large visitor attraction at the North West Tourism Oscars held at the Imperial War Museum in Manchester.

The business beat off stiff competition from attractions such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Tatton Park in Cheshire.

The judges said: "Ullswater steamers demonstrated a number of innovative approaches to meeting visitor needs, for example, they offer free entrance to essential companions' of disabled visitors and they contribute to the protection of the Lakeland environment by raising money to repair lakeside pathways."