AN hotel has won a prestigious award after reaching the finals of a major national competition for the third year running.

Rockliffe Hall, in Hurworth, near Darlington, won the silver award for business tourism at the VisitEngland Awards held recently.

Managing director of Rockliffe Hall, Nick Holmes, said: “I’m thrilled for all the team at Rockliffe Hall and the North East region as a whole that this business tourism award has come home with us.

“The VisitEngland Awards are extremely prestigious and to be a finalist for an unprecedented third year running is such a coup.

“We’re competing with locations in city centre areas like London, which is really difficult but we are getting there.

“Businesses are starting to appreciate what the North East has to offer, exceptional transport links, superb visitor attractions, great restaurants and stunning scenery, whether it’s for business or pleasure.

“I’m really proud to be able to represent the North East region at this level and against some massive competition.”

Earlier this year, the five star resort was also named best in the region at the North East Tourism Awards.