There's high praise and national recognition for West Bay Discovery Centre at a prestigious tourism event.

The centre received bronze in the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Business category at the VisitEngland awards held in Birmingham.

The awards champion the very best of the country's tourism industry, celebrating quality, innovation and best practice. The annual awards cycle begins with 14 regional competitions - including the Dorset Tourism Awards - which feed up to the national VisitEngland awards.

Discovery centre trustee John West, who attended the awards in Birmingham with his wife Sarah, said: "It has been an incredible six months for the discovery centre with a string of award successes. We had no idea that we would progress from winning at the Dorset awards through to the regional and then finally national award level."

In their comments about the centre, the judges said that it has "one of the best accessibility guides ever read, and is an attraction which punches above its weight".

John added: "This year it's been great to see more visitors of all ages returning and really enjoying what the centre has to offer. 

"We are run on a charitable basis with mostly volunteer input, so winning these awards is a big boost for everyone involved."

New volunteers are always welcome. For information, visit the centre or email [email protected]