A RYEDALE tourist information centre and its manager are in the running for honours at the UK’s biggest tourism awards.

Pickering Tourist Information Centre has made it through the final of the Visitor Information category at the White Rose Awards, while the man who heads it, Les Clarke, is short-listed for the outstanding customer service prize.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Leeds on October 1 and will also be entered in next year’s national tourism awards.

Lynne Bayes, Ryedale District Council’s access to services team leader, said: “The dedication to customer service provided by Les and his team is second to none. This is well-deserved recognition that they are always prepared to go that extra mile and I wish them every success in the finals.”

More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony.