TWO Wyre Forest businesses have been announced as finalists in the 2014 Visit Worcestershire Awards for Excellence.

Little Owl Farm Park, in Owlhill Lane, Comhampton, and Brockencote Hall Hotel, in Chaddesley Corbett have been nominated for two awards each.

The awards recognise the achievements of businesses, including activity centres, hotels, museums and farms, across the county.

Little Owl Farm Park is up against Worcester Cathedral and Avoncroft Museum for the award in the Best Tourism Experience, while it faces Green and Away and Broadway Manor Cottages in the Best Sustainable Tourism category.

Mandy Howell, owner, said: “Little Owl Farm Park and everyone involved in the running of it are very honoured and extremely excited about being finalists in two categories of the Visit Worcestershire awards for excellence.

“It has been a very exciting first year for us and we are all keeping our fingers crossed.”

Brockencote Hall Hotel is facing competition with The Malvern and Dormy House Hotel and Spa to be named Best Hotel and has also been nominated for the Best Business Tourism award alongside Top Barn Activity Centre and Aztec Adventures.

The finalists are to discover who will be taking home the prizes during a ceremony at the Mercure Hotel Kidderminster, in Habberley Road, Bewdley, on October 23.

Mike Ashton, chief executive of Visit Worcestershire, said: “Tourism is the third largest industry in the county, accounting for 25,000 jobs and £538 million of expenditure.

“Worcestershire has some excellent businesses in the tourism industry, which we should be proud of and the 2014 Visit Worcestershire Awards for Excellence is the perfect opportunity to celebrate their many achievements.”