A number of businesses and attractions in the Ashby area have figured prominently in the prestigious Leicestershire Tourism and Hospitality Awards for 2021.

Conkers and Moira Furnace have a number of nominations - but there are no shortage of finalists from Ashby and nearby.

Now in its 10th year, the awards, organised by Leicestershire Promotions, are the regional heat of the national Visit England Awards for Excellence.

Many of the winners will automatically proceed to the shortlist of the national awards.

In the Events section, Conkers Winter Wonderland, Moira's Timber Festival and the Moira Furnace Craft Fairs have all been nominated as finalists.

In the Experience category, Conkers is again nominated but so is award-winning The Bee Farmer, from Ashby along with Moira-based nature group Wild Minds.

The Attractions section sees Conkers short-listed again but also, the Smisby Road based Rebound Inflatable Park is among the finalists.

Moira Furnace is again mentioned, this time in the Resilience and Innovation category.

And in the New Tourism Business section, Wild Minds is again named along with Hastings Retreat which is based at Hill Farm, Willesley Woodside.

Martin Peters, Chief Executive of Leicestershire Promotions said: "Having had to postpone the awards for the last couple of years, we are thrilled to be able to bring them back for the 2021 season."

"After the challenges of the last couple of years and the impact it has had on our industry and its people, the time is now right to come together andcelebrate the amazing places, experiences and individuals that have fought tirelessly to keep their doors open.

"The competition is extremely fierce and we look forward to revealing the deserved winners at the end of March.'

This year's winners will be announced at one-off new event Leicestershire Tourism Day.

The day will combine reflection on the challenges the industry has faced over the last two years and subsequent learnings, networking of the previous tourism forum with the celebration and presentation of the winners of the 2021 Tourism Awards in a fresh new format.

Leicestershire Tourism Day will take place during English Tourism Week at the Griffin Inn, Swithland between 2pm – 7pm on March 22.