CREAM OF TOURISM BUSINESSES

They are The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne; Bardown Farm Holiday Cottages in Stonegate, Wadhurst; Brighton-based online business The 24 Hour Museum; Old Chapel Forge Bed and Breakfast in Lagness, Chichester, and Ashdown Forest Llama Park at Wych Cross.

All have been named in their respective categories '“ recognising them as the cream of the tourism industry.

The judges' selection of winners, runners-up and highly commended organisations will be revealed at the Tourism ExSEllence Awards 2006 Gala Dinner and Awards Evening in early October.

Run by Tourism South East (TSE), the awards recognise tourism businesses from throughout the region who have achieved the highest standards in service, products and innovation. Just 41 businesses have been shortlisted across the 14 categories for the 2006 awards.

The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne has been shortlisted in the highly competitive Large Hotel of the Year category, while Bardown Holiday Cottages has beaten many entrants to reach the shortlist in the Self Catering Holiday category.

The 24 Hour Museum, which operates www.24hourmuseum.org.uk, which promotes publicly-funded UK museums, galleries, archives and heritage attractions, has reached the final stages within the Tourism Website category.

Both Old Chapel Forge Bed and Breakfast and Ashdown Forest Llama Park have demonstrated their commitment to the environment having been named on the shortlist for the Green Tourism Award.

The awards evening takes place on Thursday 5 October at Great Fosters Hotel in Egham, Surrey.