HOTELS and restaurants from across the county were honoured at the South West Food and Tourism Awards.

The awards, at Barrington Court in Somerset, were a joint project organised by Taste of the West and South West Tourism, to recognise the best places to eat and visit in the region.

Wiltshire businesses awarded prizes included Fosse Farmhouse, Nettleton, The Harrow Inn, Little Bedwyn, and Lucknam Park Hotel, Chippenham.

Caron Cooper, the owner of Fosse Farmhouse and presenter of the BBC series Cooking with Confidence, said: "It's wonderful news and a big surprise. I'm just doing what I love cooking and providing a lovely environment for guests to be in."

Roger Jones, the head chef at the Harrow Inn, emphasised the importance of local produce in the awards,

"Since we started three years ago I've tried to source from the West Country as much as possible," he said.

"We use local cheese, Dorset lamb and pork and we get our fish from Brixham market in Devon."

"The judging was all done in secretly, no one knew anything about it we're delighted."

The awards were presented by Noel Edmonds. Tourism Minister Kim Howells was also on hand to hand out the South West Tourism Excellence in England Awards.