TOURISM businesses in Bromsgrove are being invited to put themselves forward for a Visit Worcestershire Award for Excellence, as part of attempts to showcase the best in Worcestershire tourism.

The awards, which have been organised through Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, will also see the winners and those highly commended, put forward for the 2015 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

Businesses will be judged on a variety of categories, covering everything from customer care and serving locally sourced food and drink, to developing businesses to meet the needs of visitors, or just thinking a business is truly excellent.

Mike Ashton, chief executive of Destination Worcestershire, said: "We are encouraging businesses to enter these fantastic awards to not only receive local recognition, but also have the opportunity to be honoured nationwide."

There will be an awards ceremony held as part of the Annual Tourism Conference for the Visit Worcestershire Awards For Excellence at the Mercure Kidderminster Hotel on October 23 from 2-5.30pm.

Awards are on offer for Best Tourism Experience, Best Hotel, Best Bed and Breakfast, Best Self Catering, Best Sustainable Tourism, Best Business Tourism, Best Taste of Worcestershire, and Best Festivals and Events.

To download a PDF of the application form, visit visitworcestershire.org/awards. Forms should be returned to Destination Worcestershire, Severn House, Prescott Drive, Worcester, WR4 9NE or via email to tourism@visitworcestershire.org. The deadline for entries is Monday, September 8.