A Barrow hotel has been shortlisted for a prestigious industry award for its Covid-19 communication campaign.

The town's Holiday Inn Express branch has been named among the finalists for Springboard’s Virtual Awards for Excellence – which received a record number of entries this year.

The team will go up against three other hotel brands in the 'best use of digital marketing to promote sales or service’ category at a virtual ceremony on March 18.

The hotel was nominated following its quick-turnaround digital campaign designed to reassure and educate guests returning to the hotel following the UK’s first Covid-19 lockdown last year.

Throughout the pandemic, the hotel has primarily provided accommodation for key frontline workers.

Mark Winter, general manager of Holiday Inn Express in Barrow, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for the awards given the hard work put in by those involved in creating our digital campaign – in particular our marketing executive, Robbie Gaffney, who spearheaded the content creation to bring our strategy to life.

“Myself and the team are exceptionally proud of the videos produced, and of the response they garnered on social media – with more than 17,000 views and amazing feedback from the key workers who eventually stayed with us after we reopened on June 1.

“It’s been a really challenging time for the industry as a whole, so to be part of an awards evening that will celebrate the fantastic work that has gone on over the past year is an honour.”