THERE were celebrations in Bude last week when the town won gold for best UK coastal resort at the British Travel Awards.

The winners of the awards were announced on November 25 at a gala awards dinner at Battersea Evolution in London.

Bude pipped Bournemouth and Woolacombe to the post — they received silver and bronze respectively.

Last year Bude scooped the bronze in the same category at the awards, while Bournemouth took gold and Tenby silver.

Mark Hibbard, tourism officer and a director of Bude Area Tourist Board, said: “We couldn’t be more delighted with this award. All the vision and local investment that is going into the Bude area — creating new places to eat, places to stay and exciting things to do for visitors to Bude, is clearly appealing to day visitors and holiday visitors alike.

“The fact that this award is voted for by visitors makes it all the more special. We represent many Bude tourism businesses, working together to provide a thriving and continually improving visitor destination — we look forward to welcoming even more visitors in 2016!”

At the event, Cornwall claimed the majority of the public vote and was named the best UK holiday destination — for the seventh year in a row. Silver in the category went to Northumberland, and Devon picked up bronze.

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said: “Well done, Cornwall! To be named as the nation’s favourite holiday destination for seven years is a truly incredible achievement.

“Each and every person involved in tourism in Cornwall should be proud of this award. It represents strength in our product, brand and future and is a powerful message to be able to shout across the world.

“Thank you to everyone that has contributed to Cornwall’s success and of course, to those who voted.”

Making it an impressive triple gold win for Cornwall. The Eden Project also won best UK leisure attraction for a fifth year.

The British Travel Awards is the largest awards programme in the UK, created to reward the best companies in travel.

Categories span all types of holiday experience, from transport and accommodation to customer service, and the winners are decided by public vote. The 2015 edition of the British Travel Awards attracted one million votes from more than 250,000 voters.

Bude and Stratton mayor Lea Deely said: “Congratulations to the all those involved in promoting the town and surrounding area. It is a wonderful achievement.

“I am convinced that this award has been won on the back of the hard work of our service and accommodation providers but also feel that it is also down to the warmth and friendliness of the people here who make all visitors welcome. This is obvious from the huge numbers of holidaymakers who keep returning.

“Once again, warmest congratulations to all involved in winning this very prestigious award for the town. Those of us who are fortunate enough to live here know what a special place this is. It is good to know that our visitors also recognise this.”

— A new film promoting the town was launched minutes after the award was announced last week.

The five and a half minute video was made as a collaboration between the Bude for Food Festival and Bude Tourist Board. The Bude for Food committee also consists of Gavin Warland photography, Trewin Design and Architecture, Elements, Norton Barton Artisan Food Village, Popti and Good Mud.

Bethany Rose Lewitt, owner of the Beach House at Widemouth Bay, one of the sponsors of this year’s food festival, told the Post of the new film: “It’s not just about the festival but putting Bude on the map.

“We aimed to launch it in line with the awards. We didn’t know Bude would get gold, which is fantastic!

“We encourage everyone to share the film to help further promote North Cornwall.”