YORK businesses are among more than 100 ventures which have made the shortlist in the White Rose Awards, which celebrate the very best of tourism in Yorkshire.

The awards are the UK’s largest celebration of tourism and cover 17 categories, from the best Yorkshire pub to outstanding customer service.

The York finalists include the city’s Theatre Royal, the Lakeside Conference Centre at the National Agri-Food Innovation Campus at Sand Hutton, the Royal York Hotel, York Conferences, No. 21 York, The Grand Hotel and Spa, Flying Scotsman’s return to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and National Railway Museum, HallowScream at York Maze and The Star Inn the City.

North Yorkshire finalists include Studford Luxury Lodges, Ampleforth; The Talbot Hotel, Malton; National Centre for Birds of Prey, Duncombe Park; The World of James Herriot, Thirsk; Yorkshire Food Finder, Wheldrake; Yorkshire Heart Vineyard and Brewery, Nun Monkton; and The Crown and Cushion, Welburn

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “Once again the entries for this year’s White Rose Awards have been exceptional across all categories, so a huge congratulations to those who have made the shortlist.”