A GREAT Yarmouth guest house has become the second visitor accommodation in the town to receive a prestigious five stars from the AA.

Staff at 3 Norfolk Square, in Albemarle Road, received the highest marks, the first awarded to a Yarmouth guest house by the AA, after inspectors from the motoring and travel organisation judged the property in December.

Keith Phillips, 62, who owns the business with wife Elsa, 52, said: “It is an important award because it makes you stand out from the crowd.

“The reviews are the thing that make a lot of people decide where they are going to go and our reviews have been outstanding.”

The AA grades hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation using a stars system from one to five.

To achieve the highest grade, the accommodation has to be luxurious with a range of extra facilities and a multi-lingual service available.

Guests are greeted at the hotel entrance and there is a menu and wine list.

Mr Phillips, who used to live near Doncaster, took over the running of the guest house in November 2008 when the property boasted 14 family-orientated rooms.

However, since then, he has transformed the premises into an eight-room adults-only business with suites comprising a separate lounge, bedroom and bathroom.

Andover House in Camperdown also has five stars in the restaurant with rooms category.