A ROYAL champagne reception was the stage this week for a glittering awards ceremony, which saw local tourism operators ranked among the country's finest establishments, writes Tourism Reporter Nadia Jefferson-Brown.

At the English Tourism Council' s Excellence in England Awards 2002, Ambleside-based Heart of the Lakes and Cottage Life received the highest accolade possible by scooping the gold award for self-catering holiday of the year.

Silver awards went to Windermere's Lakeshore House for B&B of the Year, Silverdale's Holgates Caravan Park for Caravan Holiday Park of the Year and to Monkhouse Hill Cottages, Sebergham, for the Marketing in Tourism Award.

The winners had come through regional tourist board heats and beaten off competition from hundreds of entries to see their hard work and achievements recognised nationally.

The high-profile success has been welcomed as a real boost for the county following the foot-and-mouth crisis, which was a devastating blow to local tourism.

Cumbria Tourist Board chief executive Chris Collier said the awards showed that, despite the effects of the disease, Cumbria " still has the best tourism businesses in the country."

At the event, Prince Andrew accepted a 'Jubilee Award' on behalf of Her Majesty for her dedication and support for tourism throughout her reign.

He said that after foot-and-mouth and September 11, there were signs the tourism industry was starting to improve, but he stressed the need to encourage more people to take short breaks in Britain.

Prince Andrew concluded by telling the ceremony's award-winners: "You are highly valued.

The work you do is unstinting.

I wish you every success and I am hopeful, as Her Majesty is herself, that recovery is on its way."