BEAMISH Museum was crowned the North-East’s best large attraction at the region’s tourism awards last night (Tuesday, November 11).

The open air museum, just outside Stanley, County Durham, has won a host of awards over the years for its lively interpretation of the region’s industrial heritage.

At the ceremony in Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, it picked up a gold award in the North East England Tourism Awards 2014.

Other gold winners included Event Durham - which organises events such as conferences and wedding receptions at the facilities of Durham University - and Knitsley Farm Shop at Consett.

It was also announced that Sage Gateshead will host the VisitEngland Excellence Awards 2015 on May 11 next year.

Viscountess Cobham, VisitEngland’s chairman, said: “The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, to which tonight’s winners will go forward, take place in different locations each year.

“Sage Gateshead was shortlisted against venues including Twickenham to host the 2015 event and it gives me great pleasure to announce they have been selected.

“Many congratulations to the team, and to NewcastleGateshead Initiative, who together produced an impressive bid.

“In the year in which you will also host Rugby World Cup 2015, this provides another great opportunity to put the North-East up front and centre, helping to further raise the profile of this dynamic destination”

The regional awards are organised for the Northern Tourism Alliance by the NewcastleGateshead Initiative.

Initiative chief executive, Sarah Stewart, said: “2014 has been another stand-out year for Tourism in the North-East.

“The latest figures show the number of overseas visitors to the region is at its highest since 2008, seeing a 25per cent increase in the first six months of 2014.

“This growth is testament to the vibrancy and breadth of what the region has to offer visitors - from cultural city-breaks to family holidays by the sea.

“We’re home to two World Heritage Sites, world-class museums and galleries, breathtaking countryside and dramatic coastline.

“My congratulations to tonight’s winners, their commitment to excellence ensures the industry continues to go from strength-to-strength.

“We now look forward to hosting the national VisitEngland Excellence Awards in 2015, which is set to be yet another exciting year for tourism in the region.”

The North-East’s tourism industry employs more than 55,000 people - 500 jobs have been created over the last 12 months – and is worth an estimated £3.6bn.