TOURISM businesses, bosses and supporters gathered last week to celebrate the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority annual awards - and give themselves a pat on the back for continuing to raise standards.

TOURISM businesses, bosses and supporters gathered last week to celebrate the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority annual awards - and give themselves a pat on the back for continuing to raise standards.

The 11th annual awards in the Assembly Room at the Town Hall paid tribute to the B&Bs, guest houses, hotels, chalets, holiday parks and attractions which saw the borough attracting hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers and day trippers last year.

The major Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to borough and county councillor Bert Collins, one of the founding directors of the tourist authority. Mr Collins - born in Yarmouth - has spent many years working in tourism in holiday parks and in conference and meeting venues.

His citation read: “His straight talking and direct approach often leaves the listener rocking on their heels. He is passionate about tourism in the borough of Great Yarmouth - and we have no doubt 'his heart is in the right place'.”

The Special Contribution to Tourism Award went to a one of the “back room staff”, Mickey Barwick of GYB Services who has worked on the seafront for more than 20 years. A carpenter by trade, Mr Barwick is passionate about the seafront and seems to know every square inch as though it were his own back garden.

In his citation it said: “He is often seen supporting our many beach activities and events and would not think twice about getting up at 4am to prep the beach or help set up an event site.”

Event presenters David Marsh and Alan Carr said that up to 30,000 people had attended last year's Maritime Festival, one of the borough's most successful events and volunteer organisers and sponsors were thanked for their help and support.

Chairman of the tourist authority, Graham Plant, pointed out that by working together the industry had demonstrated it could make everyone successful and they would prosper and he wished everyone a successful 2010 season.

Special Awards

Caf�/Tea Room of the Year - Victorian Tea Room at Yesterdays World

Restaurant of the Year - The Seafood Restaurant

Self-Catering Business of the Year - Beachside Holidays

Holiday, Caravan, Chalet Touring Park of the Year - Vauxhall Holiday Park

Attraction of the Year - Hemsby Mega Maize

Guest Accommodation of the Year - The Kilbrannan Guest House

Hotel of the Year - Burlington Palm Hotel

Training and Development Award - Kensington Hotel

Investment in Tourism Award - Sea Life Centre

Investment in Tourism and Celebration Award - Reynolds of Caister

Investment in Tourism Award - Andy Ellis

Investment in Tourism Award - Zest Rooms at Potters Leisure Resort

Special Contribution to Tourism Award - Mickey Barwick

Lifetime Achievement Award - Bert Collins

Other Awards

Star rated:

Guest accommodation, B&B, guest house

The Chateau (3 star); The Haydee (3 star), Barons Court (4 star), Kilbrannan Guest House (4 star), Knight Court (4 star), Maluth Lodge Guest House (4 star), Marine Lodge (4 star), The Maryland (4 star), The Southern (4 star), The Winchester (4 star).

Guest accommodation, B&B, guest house, restaurants with rooms

The Kensington (4 star, Welcome to Excellence), The Fjaerland (4 star, Welcome to Excellence), Merivon (4 star, Welcome to Excellence, EE Silver Award), Dene House (4 star, Welcome to Excellence), Classic Lodge (4 star, Welcome to Excellence, AA Highly Commended), The Shrewsbury (4 star, Welcome to Excellence, EE Silver Award), Barnard House (4 star, Welcome to Excellence, EE Silver Award, AA Highly Commended), Andover House (5 star, AA rosette for food).

Hotels

Burlington Palm Hotel (3 star), Comfort Hotel (3 star), Arden Court Hotel (3 star), Prom Hotel (3 star), Pier Hotel (3 star).

Holiday parks, touring parks, self-catering, holiday villages

Sand Dune Cottages (2 star self-catering), Grasmere Caravan Park (3 star holiday and touring park), Cavalier Holiday Chalets (3 star chalet), Seadell Chalets (3 star chalet), Haven Seashore Holiday Park (4 star holiday park), Beachside Holidays (4 star holiday park, 4 star self-catering), Hadleigh Holiday Suites (4 star self-catering), Clippesby Holidays (5 star holiday park, 5 AA Pennants, 4 star self-catering), Vauxhall Holiday Park (5 star holiday and touring park, 5 AA Pennants), Potters Leisure Resort (5 star holiday village).