A 10-bedroom bed and breakfast hotel in Blackpool has been named alongside some of the world's most exclusive hotels in a travel awards scheme.

The Norwood Hotel ranked in the top 10 in two categories of the Travellers' Choice Awards, voted for by holidaymakers on the internet.

The family-run hotel, which has rooms starting at £40 in the low season, came third in an award for service and hospitality and sixth in the best value award.

The highest-placed UK hotel in the luxury award was London's Covent Garden Hotel, which finished in 19th place.

The Norwood's owner Geoff Hodson, who runs the establishment with his wife Lorraine, said his guests liked the personal touch the hotel offered.

"Rather than being a five-star hotel with Jacuzzis in every room, we realise our limitations and work on the personal service and hospitality," he said.

"Some people get the wrong impression of how far small hotels have come.

"We're furnished in a very contemporary way and theres no chintz."

The couple, both 47, have been running the Norwood for five years.

Among the guests who voted on the TripAdvisor website www.tripadvisor.co.uk, almost all gave the hotel five-star reviews.

The hotel also draws praise for its full English breakfasts and the wireless internet access throughout.

"There's still an impression about the small hotel thats from the 1940s and a bit Fawlty Towers. Our hotel isn't like that at all," said Mr Hodson