NINE tourist attractions in the North-west have reached the final stages of English Tourism Council's England In Excellence Awards - the national awards for tourism.

The North West Tourist Board boasts the highest number of entries chosen from any region in the UK.

The nine North West finalists are:

* Caravan Park of the Year - Fold House Caravan Park Ltd, Nr

Preston

* Small Hotel of the Year - The Green Bough Hotel, Chester

* Large Hotel of the Year - The Chester Grosvenor

* Marketing in Tourism Award - The Lancashire Tourism

Partnership

* Self Catering Holiday of the Year - Barnacre Cottages,

Preston

* Tourist Information Centre of the Year - Liverpool Tourist

Information Centre

* Small Visitor Attraction of the Year - Hatworks Museum,

Stockport, Cheshire

* Large Visitor Attraction of the Year - The Museum of Science

& Industry, Manchester

* Tourism Website of the Year - The Mersey Partnership,

Liverpool

The finalists earned their place in the national finals by winning their

category in North West Tourism Awards 2002.

The finalists are up against the best of the rest in the UK and the overall winner will be announced at the Excellence in England Award ceremony, London, April 23.

Commenting on this exciting news Anthony Goldstone, Chairman, North West Tourist Board said: "We're delighted that these North West tourist attractions have received the recognition that they deserve at the highest standard in the UK industry.

"We have high hopes for their achievements in the grand final this April and would like to take this opportunity to wish

them continued success".