TOURISM businesses in York and North Yorkshire are gearing up to repeat their past success in this year's White Rose Awards.

Known as the Oscars of the tourism industry, the scheme is run by the Yorkshire Tourist Board and last year there was a strong showing from local entrants.

York's National Railway Museum, which won two awards last year, came a close second to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds in the visitor attraction of the year (over 50,000 visitors) award.

David Leon, the museum's head of marketing, said: "We'll be entering the visitor attraction category this year and various others - we've made a lot of improvements over the year and hope to do well."

First Stop York, whose entry last year meant the city of York won tourism destination of the year, said they were also considering entering again.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said the award had helped in marketing the city and in the campaign to get more visitors to stay in York.

The winners of last year's self-catering holiday of the year category, Chris and Andrea Wood, of Wrea Head Cottage Holidays in Scarborough, went on to win the national prize for their category in the England for Excellence awards.

Chris said: "It's helped us by adding to our marketing credibility and I think it's meant we've got booked up more quickly."

He said they were certainly going to try and repeat their success this year.

The deadline for entries is Friday, March 29 . Forms can be obtained by contacting the Yorkshire Tourist Board on York 707961.

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