FIVE Craven hotels and self-catering holiday accommodation have been shortlisted for this year's White Rose Awards for Tourism.

Regarded as the "Oscars" of the region's tourism industry the awards are designed to recognise excellence in tourism.

This year's competition is particularly significant following the devastation caused by foot and mouth in 2001.

Entries have flooded in from all corners of the region for one or more of the 13 categories.

The eventual winner in nine of the categories will qualify for entry to the national Excellence in England Awards held annually by the English Tourism Council.

From this area The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel, Bolton Abbey, and the Coniston Hall Hotel are battling it out for the hotel of the year award, with six other contenders from across the county.

Gillian Ward-Brown from Coniston Hall was delighted that the hotel had been shortlisted. She said awards like this were important for the staff as it recognised their hard work.

"It is absolutely fantastic. We are looking forward to hearing the results," she added.

Riverside Cottage, Burton-in-Lonsdale, is a frontrunner in the self-catering holiday of the year category. It will be up against 12 other shortlisted entries from across the county.

Pat Leverton who runs the accommodation said the nomination and the selection had come as a complete surprise but thought it made her hard work well worthwhile. "I do work very, very hard at keeping the place immaculate."

Also in Burton-in-Lonsdale, Brentwood Farm Cottages has been shortlisted in the best newcomer to tourism category and the self-catering holiday of the year section.

Owner Anita Taylor said she was pleased with the nominations having only converted a barn into two cottages (one with disabled facilities) during the winter of 2000-2001 as part of a farm diversification project.

They were opened to the public at Easter 2001 just before foot and mouth struck the area. "We weathered that storm and this year it is getting a good number of bookings," said Anita.

In Grassington, Hill Top Fold Cottage has been placed in the self-catering holiday of the year competition.

Nominations are also being sought for the Outstanding Customer Service Award. This will be presented in response to nominations from members of the public who have received outstanding service from a tourism company.

Nominations can be entered at www.yorkshirevisitor.com or at White Rose Awards, YTB, 312 Tadcaster Road, York, YO24 1GS.