A popular event which brings music and dance to Cleckheaton is one of the frontrunners in the equivalent of the tourism Oscars.

The Cleckheaton Folk Festival has been nominated in the Tourism Event of the Year category in Yorkshire Tourist Board's White Rose Awards

The annual festival, which includes singalongs, ceilidhs, workshops and a procession, has been put forward in one of 13 categories.

The Old Registry in Haworth has been nominated for guest accommodation of the year, while Well Head Cottage in Keighley is a contender in self catering holiday of the year. Coniston Hall Hotel, Skipton, has been nominated as Hotel of the Year.

David Andrews, chief executive of Yorkshire Tourist Board, said it was important to show tourism was back on track.

"This year's awards are especially significant following the devastation caused to the tourism industry by the events of 2001. These awards mark a celebration of the beginnings of a cautious recovery for the region's tourism business," he said.

Contenders will be whittled down to a shortlist in July and the overall winners announced in October.

The public can also nominate people or organisations in tourism for an Outstanding Customer Service Award by logging onto www.yorkshirevisitor.com or at the regions tourist information centres.