STATELY home Forde Abbey on the Dorset/Somerset border has been named one of the best small visitor attractions in the country.

The venue won a silver award at the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence.

The award was announced at a glittering award ceremony held at the newly restored St George's Hall in Liverpool this week.

The attraction had already won successive regional gold awards for the south west, but still had to go through a second round of tough judging to narrow the field from seven regional winners to become one of three national finalists.

Owner Mrs Lisa Roper said: "To be named as the best in the South West, a region that boasts some of the finest attractions in the country was amazing, but to know that we are rated so highly nationally as well is a huge honour."

Of the 17 categories the South West was represented in at the awards nine won gold awards including Michael Eavis, founder of the Glastonbury music festival who won an award for his outstanding contribution to tourism. Five venues won silver awards.

The awards are designed to promote healthy industry competition and high standards.

Forde Abbey was represented at the ceremony by Mrs Roper's daughter and son-in-law, Alice and Julian Kennard, who are particularly involved with the day-to-day management of Forde Abbey and its estate.