A WEST Dorset hotel has been recognised with gold awards for the fourth straight year.

Staff at the Bridge House, Beaminster, are celebrating after being awarded a gold medal in this year's Taste of the West awards. The 13th century house in Prout Bridge, has been awarded the prize for both its restaurant and hotel at this year's awards.

Owners Mark and Jo Donavan have been running Bridge House for the past 13 years.

Mr Donavan praised his staff for helping bring about the continued success of the Bridge House.

He said: “We are proud and delighted to win gold for best hotel and restaurant in this year's Taste of the West Awards.

"This is the fourth year running that we’ve received their gold award for our two AA Rosette restaurant. This achievement is thanks to our brilliant staff, whose hard work in the kitchen and high levels of customer service help us to excel in making Bridge House a place where our customers come back again and again.”

The kitchen team at The Bridge House is led by head chef, Geraldine Gay.

The Beaminster hotel has enjoyed a successful year. As well as winning the gold award, the business has won a succession of awards since the turn of the year, including the editor's choice award as the best wedding hotel in The Good Hotel Guide 2016. It has also claimed the Alistair Sawday fabulous food award and a customer service award from Best Loved Hotels.

Mr Donavan added: “We are very food focused at Bridge House, and all of our ingredients are sourced as locally as possible, reflecting the produce available in the immediate area. "It’s great to continue to be officially acknowledged for something we’ve always been passionate about.”

For more information, please call 01308 862200 or visit bridge-house.co.uk