AWARDS will be handed out to the North-East's leading tourism businesses at the Pride of Northumbria Awards 2003.

Developed by Northumbria Tourist Board and backed by One NorthEast, the awards reward excellence in tourism practice and recognises outstanding contributions within the industry. This year's event will be held at the Newcastle Marriott Hotel Gosforth Park, on Thursday.

Open to tourism organisations across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Tees Valley, the Pride of Northumbria awards have been running for ten years.

The winners of each category will go forward to compete in the national Visit Britain Excellence in England final next April.