ONE of Northumberland’s most popular visitor attractions is in the running for a top regional award.
Wallington, near Cambo, has been shortlisted for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year in the North East England Tourism Awards.
The National Trust-run estate will battle against the Bowes Museum in County Durham, the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead for the title.
And if it succeeds, it will have the chance to compete on the national stage in the Visit England Awards for Excellence.
The regional awards aim to celebrate the achievements of the tourism industry, which is estimated to support more than 65,000 jobs in the North East and contribute £4.2billion to the local economy every year.
Northumberland-based organisations have been shortlisted in nine out of 14 categories.
Nominees include Close House Hotel and Golf at Heddon On The Wall, which competes for the Small Hotel of the Year title, and Woodhorn Museum and Northumberland Archives, based in Ashington, which is shortlisted for the Sustainable Tourism Award.
The gongs have been organised by the NewcastleGateshead Initiative in partnership with Northumberland County Council and Event Manager Michelle Beveridge.
Council Executive Member for Customer Relations and Culture Neil Bradbury said: “The Tourism Awards provide the opportunity to reward excellence and good practice in the tourism industry. In the North East we have many accommodation providers and attractions whose dedication to quality should be recognised.
“I am delighted that Northumberland County Council was able to assist in organising these awards.
“I’m also delighted that there are so many Northumberland businesses represented among the finalists.”
The awards will be presented at The Sage on Thursday, January 31.