A FARMER who diversified into the hotel industry is reaping the rewards with a harvest of accolades.

David and Heather Armstrong decided to turn their farm at Croft-on-Tees, near Darlington, into a hotel in 1988 starting out with just two guest rooms. They now have 13 themed rooms at Clow Beck House.

Last week, they won the Yorkshire Tourist Board White Rose Award for best guest accommodation of the year and were finalists in the marketing campaign category.

A month earlier, they won the Yorkshire in Bloom tourism award and also retained their RAC Little Gem award.

David said: "You live and breathe it. This is the best year we've had for awards. The White Rose Award is really for the people who work for us - they are a good team."

Clow Beck House will now go through to the national England in Excellence awards