Tourism bosses in Shropshire were celebrating today after the county was named the best region in the Midlands for visitors.

And three individual attractions also scooped golds at The Heart of England, Excellence in Tourism Awards 2008.

Shropshire was the overall winner scooping an award voted for by members of the public called My Favourite Place. It beat Birmingham, the Black Country, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire and other regions.

The three Shropshire winners were RAF Cosford, which won the Access For All Award because it provides easy access for those with disabilities; Ludlow Food Centre, off the A49, at Bromfield, which won the Taste of the Heart Award, after judges said they were impressed by the quality of food and drink on offer; and Goldstone Hall, which won the Small Hotel/Townhouse of the Year Award, for providing luxury and comfort for guests.

Today one of the winners, Sandy Boyd, boss of the Ludlow Food Centre, said he was absolutely thrilled. He said: “We are delighted to win a gold in the region’s most prestigious tourism awards.”

There were plenty of other awards for local attractions, who won silver awards and were also highly commended in a number of categories.