A PUB in South Somerset has been shortlisted as a finalist for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022.

The Cotley Inn, near Chard, will have to wait until the national awards ceremony on June 8 at the Library of Birmingham to find out if they have won gold, silver or bronze.

The pub, run by Maddie and Ben, is nestled at the foot of the Blackdown Hills and offers 'British cooking and refined comfort food', with a focus on local produce.

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “We are delighted to be bringing VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence to the Library of Birmingham this year and to be meeting in person again as our sector comes together to celebrate the finest in English tourism.

“The awards present a timely opportunity to raise the profile of England’s outstanding tourism products, showcase the industry’s innovation as well as acknowledge the people and businesses that work so hard to deliver world-class tourism experiences.

“Millions of jobs and local economies depend on tourism and the awards also recognise the determination and dedication of businesses and destinations across England’s tourism industry as they rebuild and continue to champion best practice and customer service excellence.”

Finalists will be invited to the nationally recognised awards where winners will be announced across 15 core categories from the ‘Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award’ to the ‘Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year’ and from the ‘Pub of the Year’ to the ‘Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award’.

In addition to the 15 core categories, which include two new awards this year - the ‘Unsung Hero Award’ and the ‘Resilience and Innovation Award,’ special awards are also being presented including an ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award’, a ‘Travel Content Award’ and a ‘Tourism Superstar’ award.

The Cotley Inn, near Chard, also won the Gold in the Pub of the Year category in the Bristol, Bath, and Somerset Tourism Awards 2021/22, which linked them to the VisitEngland Awards.

READ MORE: Success for Somerset businesses at tourism awards

The 2022/23 Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards are open for entry and businesses are invited to submit their entries before June 19.

Awards organiser Nell Barrington said: “I hope this will be a bumper year for tourism and hospitality businesses in Bristol, Bath and Somerset and also for entries. As we have seen this year entering these awards can lead on to national recognition.

"I will be keeping my fingers crossed for the three businesses that will be flying the flag for the county at the VisitEngland Awards.”

For more visit somersettourismawards.org.uk.