A TOP hotel has been named among the finalists for a tourism award.

Yorkshire Tourist Board (YTB) has announced that, despite not officially being in Yorkshire, Gisborough Hall is a finalist in this year's White Rose Awards for Tourism, in the category for large hotel of the year.

Gisborough Hall, near Middlesbrough, qualifies to enter the awards following Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's decision to join forces with YTB to market the area to potential visitors.

YTB chief executive David Andrews said: "These finalists represent what is best about tourism in Yorkshire. Not only did they have to prove they have a quality product, but their approach to staff development, training, accessibility and customer service were all scrutinised.

"To get this far is an achievement in itself. Those who go on to win a category will certainly deserve it. "

The team at Gisborough Hall will find out whether they have won a coveted White Rose Award for Tourism at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, October 4 at the National Railway Museum in York.