THE finalists have been unveiled for the 14th Cumbria Tourism awards, which celebrate the diversity of the county's tourist industry.

Judges drew up a shortlist of contenders across 16 categories and this year for the first time there will be awards for the county's top wedding venue and the best bed and breakfast accommodation.

The shortlisted businesses in each category will attend a glitzy black tie award ceremony at Cartmel Racecourse on June 22.

They are:

Large Hotel of the Year: North Lakes Hotel & Spa, Penrith; Castle Green Hotel, Kendal; Waterhead, Ambleside.

Small Hotel of the Year: Appleby Manor Hotel & Garden Spa, Appleby; The Leathes Head Hotel, Borrowdale; Sharrow Bay, Ullswater; Merewood Country House Hotel, Windermere.

Guest Accommodation of the Year: The Sun Inn, Kirkby Lonsdale; Augill Castle, South Stainmore; Askhall Hall, Askham; Applegarth Villa & Restaurant, Windermere.

B&B of the Year: Whitrigg House, Clifton; Rivergarth, Eamont Bridge.

Self-Catering Holiday of the Year: Waternook Lakeside Accommodation, Howtown; Mill House Cottages, Kirkby Lonsdale; Hollybank Holiday Cottages, Gilcrux; Beech House Holidays, Dalston.

Holiday Park of the Year: Park Cliffe Camping and Caravan Estate, Windermere; Park Foot Caravan and Camping Park, Pooley Bridge; National Trust Great Langdale Campsite, Great Langdale.

Tourism Experience of the Year: Zeffirellis and Fellinis, Ambleside; Lakeland Segway, Cartmel; The Lakes Distillery, Bassenthwaite; Go Ape Grizedale, Grizedale Forest.

Tourism Event of the Year: Big Chill Swim International World Cup & World Open Water Swimming Awards; The Winter Droving; Muncaster Halloween Week; Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy at Ullswater Yacht Club.

Visitor Attraction of the Year: The Lake District Coast Aquarium, Maryport; Steam Yacht Gondola, Coniston; Lakeland Climbing Centre, Kendal.

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year: Wray Castle, National Trust; Grizedale Forest; Ullswater Steamers; Windermere Lake Cruises.

Taste Cumbria Dining Experience of the Year: The Lamplighter Dining Rooms, Windermere; The Forest Side, Grasmere; Bistro at the Lakes Distillery, Bassenthwaite; The Cottage in the Wood, Whinlatter Forest; George and Dragon, Clifton.

Taste Cumbria Retailer of the Year: Cranstons Cumbrian Food Hall, Penrith; Grasmere Gingerbread; Low Sizergh Barn, near Kendal.

Wedding Venue of the Year: Augill Castle, South Stainmore; The Daffodil Hotel & Spa, Grasmere; The Wild Boar Inn, Grill and Smokehouse, Windermere; Askham Hall, Askham.

Sustainable Tourism Award: Cedar Manor Hotel, Windermere; Rydal Hall, Rydal; Ullswater Steamers; FSC Blencathra Centre, Threlkeld.

The Sheila Hensman Award for Outstanding Contribution to Excellence: Hilary Hutchinson, Lakeland Chauffeurs, Windermere; Nico Chieze, Askham Hall, Askham; Tom Panter, Merewood Country House Hotel, Windermere.

Tourism Pub of the Year: The Wheatsheaf, Brigsteer; The Cuckoo Brow Inn, Far Sawrey; The Beer Hall at Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley.

New Tourism Business Award: Threlkeld Coffee Shop, Threlkeld. Casterton Footgolf, Casterton; Claife Viewing Station, National Trust, Claife.