THREE Island businesses have won through to the finals of a national tourism awards programme.

They were chosen by the Southern Tourist Board after scoring success in the regional heats of the prestigious Excellence in England Awards for Tourism 2003.

The three winners which will compete in the national finals next year are:

Newnham Farmhouse, Ryde, Bed & Breakfast of the Year; Southland Camping Park, Sandown, Best Tourism Website of the Year and Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Small Visitor Attraction of the Year.

To celebrate these regional successes, Councillor Shirley Smart, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Harry Rees, economic development spokesman, and Alix McKee, spokesman for Isle of Wight Tourism, attended a regional awards ceremony held at Exbury Gardens, near Beaulieu.

Cllr Smart said: "I am delighted that the professional approach taken by operators of tourist facilities on the Island have been officially recognised in this prestigious competition.

'For the Island to win no fewer then three of the ten categories is marvelous. The Island's tourist industry, so vital to the local economy, must always strive to achieve excellence in what it offers to the ever more discerning holidaymaker. I wish all three winners the very best of luck in next year's national finals."

The coveted awards, now in their 15th year, were created by the English Tourism Council to encourage, recognise and honour outstanding achievement within all sectors of the tourism industry.

Commenting, Michael Green, chairman of the Southern Tourist Board, said: "We were extremely impressed with the high standard of all the entries and I know that the judges found it difficult to make their final selection."

The London finals take place on April 23.