A VETERAN park ranger has won an award celebrating the unsung heroes of the region’s tourism industry.

For 17 years, Alan Anderson has tended the deer park and gardens at Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland.

Now his dedication has seen the 63-year-old win the Visit County Durham’s Tourism Superstar 2016 award.

Alongside his wildlife and conservation work, Mr Anderson also runs school holiday activities.

In addition to his expert knowledge of the parkland’s flora and fauna, he brings the park’s long history to life during tours.

Colleagues nominated Mr Anderson for “his warm and engaging personality, as well as his knowledge, enthusiasm and dedication to his job”.

He was revealed as the winner of the annual award by Cllr Neil Foster at the Visit County Durham garden party held this week at Crook Hall, in Durham City.

Mr Anderson, who lives in Bishop Auckland, said: “I just want to thank Auckland Castle for putting me forward for the award - it’s a bit unexpected but I’m delighted to win. Thank you to everyone that voted for me”.

Ivor Stolliday, chairman of Visit County Durham, said: “The competition is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the very special welcome we offer here in Durham.

“As ever, the quality of nominations was excellent and all the finalists deserve our congratulations for being incredible ambassadors for Durham.

“It is all credit to those people working hard to enhance the visitor experience that helps to make our county such a superb place to visit.”

The award, run in partnership with The Northern Echo, was launched in 2014 to unearth Durham’s unsung heroes of tourism.

Businesses nominated their superstars and the winner was chosen by a public online poll with more than 2,100 votes cast, which Mr Anderson won with 38 per cent of the vote.

Other finalists,were Richard Darlington, of Hall Hill Farm; Tori Goodall, of Walworth Castle Birds of Prey; Robert Hillary, of Raby Castle; and Gabby Walton, of Whitworth Hall Hotel.

The previous two winners of Durham Tourism Superstar – Durham Cathedral tour guide Lilian Groves and Matthew Henderson, of Beamish Museum – went on to win the national title.