Three Ashby area venues and attractions took top prizes in the Leicestershire Promotions Tourism and Hospitality Awards for 2021.

Hastings Retreat, in Ashby, received the award for New Tourism Business with Moira's Timber Festival claiming the home the Best Paid Event award - while Greenwood Days, at Staunton Harold, received the Best Visitor Experience title.

Hastings Retreat is situated at the heart of the National Forest with recently renovated luxury barn conversions individually designed to create a welcoming stay.

Its website says it is situated next door to Hicks Lodge Cycle Centre and nestled into a countryside location with beautiful walks and views.

There is a three acre private fishing lake for sole use of Hastings Retreat holiday homes.

The Timber Festival takes place on a site just to the north of Moira, at Feanedock, each year.

Its website says: "Step into an incredible weekend festival of celebration, debate and reflection in the National Forest.

"Timber invites you to stand up and be counted as we rethink our relationship with trees and forests.

"Join new thinkers as they challenge us to re-examine our relationship with the natural world.

"Gather with artists, musicians and writers, as they respond and react to the forest in bold and exhilarating ways."

The 2022 event will take place from July 1-3 and tickets are available now.

Greenwood Days is fully-equipped teaching centre set up within a mature 88 Acre woodland (Spring Wood).

Its website says it runs a programme of courses in a range of traditional crafts with courses lasting from one to seven days with most suitable for beginners and experienced crafts people.

Some of the countries leading artisans teach these courses all with years of experience.

Moira-based Wild Minds was also highly commended in the New Tourism Business and Best Visitor Experience, along with Conkers, also in Moira, in the Large Attraction of the Year category.

Councillor Tony Gillard, Portfolio Holder for Business at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "It's great to see tourism businesses across the district being recognised for their efforts to generate vibrant and interesting visitor attractions in North West Leicestershire.

"We're very proud of how much culture and heritage we have in the district and I'd like to congratulate those who won and were highly commended who help to contribute to local tourism."

In other awards, North West Leicestershire District Council's Cinema in the Park last summer was given an award in the Best Free Event section.

And the town centre Escape Coalville was commended in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category.

Cinema in the Park was held over late July and early August, attracting around 6,000 people in all over the 10-day event in Coalville Park.

Free showings of 30 much-loved films over ten days included Disney classics such as Aladdin and The Lion King, musicals, and the Harry Potter movies.

The first film bonanza was part of the council's activities for 2021 Love Parks Week and made innovative use of the Government's Welcome Back Fund, which was designed to help boost footfall in towns following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Escape Coalville is an Escape Rooms venue in the Belvoir Centre offerng family fun or something to enjoy with friends.

The business was opened last year to offer something different to do in the town following the easing of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Adam Goodger, Company Director at Escape Coalville, said: "We're excited to bring something different to Coalville town centre.

"We're bringing this new experience to help support the regeneration of the town and shopping centre."