A guest house set up 12 years ago by a farmer has won a national award.

Lovesome Hill Farm, near Northallerton, has been named North B & B of the Year 2004 by Les Routiers, a network of independent establishments throughout the UK. The awards are judged using feedback from the public together with regular reports by incognito inspectors.

Mary and John Pearson set up the business as a diversification, converting a row of redundant farm buildings into four en-suite rooms. The couple travelled to London last week for the awards ceremony.

Mr Pearson said: "It was a nice surprise and something we did not expect. They visited us without us knowing and have obviously liked what they have seen."