YORK'S latest Tourism Ambassador may need to let off a bit of steam after receiving the award - for the prestigious title has been given to rail icon Flying Scotsman.

The announcement was made at last night's Visit York Tourism Awards, the first time in the 19-year history of the annual prize-giving that the title has not gone to a human recipient.

There was also double delight for the Royal York Hotel, which was named as Hotel of the Year and Conference Venue of the Year at the event, held in the Grand Station Hall of the National Railway Museum, which was attended by almost 500 tourism businesses.

The awards celebrate individuals and companies who offer that extra special service and experience for York’s 6.8 million visitors, recognising and rewarding excellence in the city’s multi-million pound tourism sector. There was a fantastic turnout, attended by almost five hundred tourism businesses, as well as the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress.

In some of the most hotly contested categories, The Bloomsbury scooped B&B of the Year and the Restaurant of the Year title went to The Whippet Inn, with a highly commended award going to the Rattle Owl.

El Piano scooped Café of the Year in the only category voted on by the general public, and in the attraction categories York Art Gallery and Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens came out on top.

Kate McMullen, head of tourism at Make It York, said: ‘For our tourism sector to be successful York needs exceptional people, as well as exceptional businesses and this is what these tourism awards celebrate. Our panel of independent judges has spent many hours analysing the entrants supported by a dedicated team of mystery shoppers.

"It is a testament to the quality of businesses in York that we’ve seen such a high standard this year and such close scoring. We’d like to congratulate all our winners and finalists."

Paul Kirkman, director at the National Railway Museum, who collected the York Tourism Ambassador award for Flying Scotsman, said: "From glamorous modernist icon, film star and world record breaker, to sixties globetrotting symbol of the preservation movement and modern-day national treasure, Flying Scotsman has captured the imaginations of generations worldwide.

"It’s a great thrill for all of us that Scotsman can add another accolade to its belt."

Fifteen businesses from across the city sponsored the awards ceremony, which included a black tie dinner, a prize draw and casino for national charity the Family Holiday Association and a celebration disco.

Winners of the Visit York Tourism Awards 2016

Bed & Breakfast of the Year – Sponsored by Little Hotelier
Winner: The Bloomsbury
Finalists: No. 21 York and Bracken Lodge

Café/Tearoom of the Year – Sponsored by Booker York – The People’s Choice Award
Winner: El Piano
Finalists: Balloon Tree Café, Café No.8, Cakes d’Licious, Countess of York - at the National Railway Museum, Licc - Luxury Ice Cream Co., The Farm Shop and Café, Wigginton, and The Red House Café

Caravan Park or Holiday Village of the Year – Sponsored by Lloyds Bank
Winner: Robin Hood Caravan Park
Finalists: Forest Holidays Cropton and Naburn Lock Caravan Park

Conference Venue of the Year – Sponsored by Saville Audio Visual
Winner: The Royal York Hotel
Finalists: Bedern Hall and York Racecourse

Family Friendly Experience of the Year – Sponsored by P&O Ferries
Winner: York Maze
Finalists: Go Ape - Dalby Forest and The Railway Children - York Theatre Royal at the National Railway Museum

Hotel of the Year – Sponsored by Streamline Taxis
Winner: The Royal York Hotel
Finalists: Feversham Arms Hotel, Grays Court, Hotel Indigo, Middlethorpe Hall
Hotel & Spa, and Monkbar Hotel

Outstanding Customer Service Award – Sponsored by HIT Training
Winner: Stevie-Jo Todd, York Marriott Hotel
Highly Commended: Jordi Vaca, The Grand Hotel & Spa
Finalists: Rebecca Palmer-Bunting, Robin Hood Caravan Park, and Wendy Redfern, York Science Park

Pub/Bar of the Year – Sponsored by Webmart
Winner: Walmgate Ale House
Finalists: The Golden Fleece and Shambles Tavern

Restaurant of the Year – Sponsored by Morrell Middleton Accountants
Winner: The Whippet Inn
Highly Commended: The Rattle Owl
Finalists: Middlethorpe Hall Hotel & Spa, Refectory Kitchen and Terrace - at the Royal York Hotel, and The Star Inn the City

Self-Catering Venue of the Year – Sponsored by Be Independent
Winner: Lendal Tower
Finalists: York Hop Store and The Riverside, York

Shopping Experience of the Year – Sponsored by Fulprint
Winner: Il Gusto
Finalists: Pandora and The Cast Iron Bath Company

Visitor Attraction of the Year (Over 50,000 Visitors) – Sponsored by FR Fowler & Son
Winner: York Art Gallery
Finalists: York’s Chocolate Story and YorkBoat

Visitor Attraction of the Year (Under 50,000 Visitors) – Sponsored by York North Yorkshire East Riding Enterprise Partnership
Winner: Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens
Finalists: York Cold War Bunker and York Cycling Tours

Visitor Experience of the Year – Sponsored by York Data Services
Winner: HallowScream at York Maze
Finalists: Kaboom at Castle Howard, York Maze and York Theatre Royal

York Tourism Ambassador – Sponsored by Veeno, The Italian Wine Café
Winner: Flying Scotsman