TEN of the region's most successful visitor attractions have been named as finalists in national tourism awards.

Raby Castle and Beamish Museum are among the popular destinations to have reached the national finals of the Enjoy England Excellence Awards 2005.

Those responsible for encouraging visitors to come to the North-East said they were delighted that ten of the 97 tourism businesses shortlisted for the awards by tour operators group Abta were in the region.

John Holmes, director of regeneration and tourism at development agency One NorthEast said: "The region's success in reaching the finals of Enjoy England Excellence Awards is well deserved.

"Considering the relatively small size of the region, the finalists from the North-East have done amazingly well to be competing on a national level with more established tourism destinations."

The winners of the 11 categories will be announced at a ceremony in the British Museum in April.

Alongside the big names to have made it to the final such as Beamish Museum, in County Durham, Haggerston Castle Holiday Park, in Northumberland, and Newcastle's Malmaison hotel, several unsung heroes of the region's tourism trade have also been nominated.

Among them are the 14th Century Langley Castle Hotel, in Hexham, Northumberland, a finalist in the small hotel of the year category for establishments with less than 50 bedrooms.

Also nominated for the first time is an unlikely tourist destination -St James' Park, home of Newcastle football club.

The conference and banqueting suite at the Magpies' home ground has been shortlisted in a new category -the business tourism award, introduced to recognise the significance of conferences and exhibitions in the tourism industry.