Seaham Hall in County Durham and Northumberland’s Matfen Hall have won the small and large hotel of the year categories respectively, in the inaugural North East Tourism Awards.

Organised by development agency OneNorthEast, the B&B of the year went to the King’s Head hotel and restaurant in Newton-Under-Roseberry.

Northumberland’s Maften Hall hotel also picked up the business tourism award of the year. The best visitor pub award was given to The Keelman’s in Newburn, Tyne & Wear.

OneNorthEast director of regeneration John Holmes said: “The standard of entry was so high… that all of our winners and finalists should be proud of their achievements.”

By Kerstin Kühn

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