A COUPLE who abandoned a career in pig farming to open a bed and breakfast hotel have made it to the final three in the tourism industry Oscars.

David and Heather Armstrong are finally reaping the rewards, 14 years after they turned their backs on the farming industry to open Clow Beck House, at Croft, near Darlington.

The pair won this year's Yorkshire Tourist Board regional award and are now in line for the crown of Bed and Breakfast of the Year in the Safeway Excellence in England Awards.

Mr Armstrong said that, after a lot of hard work, their decision to diversify into the tourism industry was paying off.

He said: "We had a really good year last year and picked up a number of awards, but this is the biggest competition we have ever been in.

"When you think of the many thousands of other places out there, it is a hell of an accolade to be in the last three."

The couple started the business with only two bedrooms, but the hotel has grown to 13 themed rooms and a restaurant.

Mrs Armstrong has also transformed the hotel's two-acre garden.

The Armstrongs are now looking forward to attending the final of the Excellence in England Awards, on St George's Day, at the Royal Opera House, in London.

Mr Armstrong said: "To have got this far is great and, to be honest, if you had told me last year that we would win the regional award I would have snapped your hand off. But now we are there we would really love to win it."