BUSINESSES and organisations who boost the region's economy by bringing in thousands of tourists a year were rewarded yesterday.

Farm Cottages, bed and breakfast establishments and museums were among the winners when the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) handed out gold and silver awards, at a ceremony at Durham City's Rivergreen Centre.

The County Durham Tourism Partnership and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership (AONB) were among the first corporate organisations to receive accreditation.

They both received a gold grading recognising their encouragement of sustainable tourism and environmentally friendly operating style.

Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, in Weardale, County Durham, won a gold award, along with East Briscoe Farm Cottages, in Teesdale, Ninebanks Youth Hostel, near Hexham, and the Polemonium Plantery bed and breakfast, in Trimdon, County Durham.

Silver went to Low Cornriggs Farmhouse, Cowshill, Pasture Cottage, Wolsingham, the Boot and Shoe Cottage, Barnard Castle, Durham Cottages, Durham City, Beamish Museum and Low Urpeth Farm, all County Durham.

Guisborough Hall Hotel and Argument Cottage, both in North Yorkshire, Birkheads Secret Garden, Tyne and Wear, and the Deneholme residential and conference centre, Allendale, also took silver.

Six of the winners are members of the AONB partnership.

Sustainable tourism officer Shane Harris said: "Much of the tourism in the area is directly dependent on the area's high quality environment.

"Many visitors to the North Pennies want to be environmentally friendly and the GTBS quality seal of approval provides that assurance."

Emma Wilson, of East Briscoe Farm Cottages, said: "Working with the GTBS has helped us to look in detail at how we can further reduce our impact on the environment. We are also saving energy costs."