A bed and breakfast which boasts scenic views across the County Durham countryside has been given an award by England's tourism board for its "excellence".
Bonners Lodge in Consett is one of eight hotels and bed and breakfasts which have been given a Rose award by Visit England for 2024, praising them for their work as a business.
Others in the region which have been given the accolade is 1 Teesdale Road in Barnard Castle and the Maldron Hotel in Newcastle.
Michelle, 59, told The Northern Echo that the pair work together to keep the lodge running whilst husband Ken, 63, continues to work as an engineer for Virgin Atlantic.
"I just got fed up of the hum drum of going in to work every day when I live in such a beautiful place and I wanted to make the most of it."
The lodge, which Michelle says "gives the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere", can be found off the A68 and has a range of rooms as well as a whole host of animals - including alpacas.
Michelle said: "The award came as an email in to our inbox and I was shocked. I wondered, how did we get this? We're just a two-bedroom small bed and breakfast.
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"I found they awarded it based on customer reviews and from assessors who come out each year from Visit England to check on us.
"We were really taken aback and so surprised - we are delighted and really excited!"
Michelle and Ken will now receive a certificate they can proudly display in the lodge highlighting their achievement for years to come.
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