CRAVEN tourism businesses have capped a fantastic year with the Tour de France by being named best in the county.

In the Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards, The Coniston Hotel was named best large hotel of the year, and the Angel Inn at Hetton named best restaurant with rooms.

Meanwhile, Calvin Dow, owner of Skipton's The Castle Inn, and a town councillor, was overwhelmed to win the accolade of best pub in Yorkshire.

Mr Dow took over the Castle four years ago when he was just 23 years old, and has turned it from a drinking only pub to the busy food pub it is today.

He started by inviting customers to bring their own sandwiches, expanded to Skipton bought pie and peas before converting his own kitchen, in his upstairs flat.

He now has a fully functioning commercial kitchen with two chefs and in the height of the summer, employs 25 people and has a regular comedy night.

"I have literally not been off the phone since winning the award. I knew they were big, but I had no idea just how prestigious they were," he said.

"It just means so much when you've worked so hard to get the recognition, and its excellent for Skipton as well.

He thought Skipton and Craven would now become even more of a tourist mecca.

"I get visitors from America and New Zealand who tell me they saw Yorkshire on the Tour de France and had no idea how beautiful it was," he said.

The Coniston Hotel and Country Estate, also shortlisted for awards in business tourism and outstanding customer service, was named best large hotel - after being pipped to the post last year with a highly commended.

“We’re all absolutely delighted here at The Coniston to win the Best Large Hotel in Yorkshire award, " said Michael Bannister, owner of the hotel and country estate.

"It’s testimony to the efforts we have made, not just last year, but over the many years that the hotel and our estate activities have been nurtured and developed."

"We believe we have one of the best teams of staff in any hotel in the country, and this award is as much for them, and of course for our customers and guests, as it is for us."

Mr Bannister added: "We hope that this award, coming on top of the superb publicity that the Yorkshire Dales enjoyed with the Tour de France being here this summer, will provide a rock-solid foundation for our planned Spa By The Lake development next year, and our future growth in the business and the provision of quality jobs in the hospitality industry in this area.”

Pascal Watkins, owner of the Angel Inn at Hetton, said it had been a fantastic year with the Tour de France and having featured in two separate top pub in the country lists in the Sunday Times.

"I'm overjoyed, Skipton cleaned up," he said.

The pub, which last won a White Rose Award in 2005, was faced with tough opposition including Yorebridge House at Bainbridge and The Wensleydale Heifer at West Witton.

Mr Watkins added he was particularly pleased with the description of the Angel being described as a 'well running Bentley'.

"It is the first time we've entered this category, the awards are very, very highly regarded and I'm delighted to have won."

Skipton's Bizzie Lizzie's fish and chip restaurant was delighted with the success of Craven businesses after sponsoring the best restaurant award.

"As one of Yorkshire's best loved fish and chip restaurants we were delighted to sponsor The White Rose 'awards", said marketing director, Katie Davison.

"There were some fabulous entries which really highlighted Yorkshire's culinary talents and our congratulations go to Yorebridge House in Bainbridge who were very worthy winners of the restaurant of the year.

"Having two restaurants in Skipton we were also thrilled and proud of the area's local businesses who picked up awards - It all goes to show that Yorkshire and in particular Skipton is a great place to visit, stay and dine."

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "It's been an historic year for Yorkshire and our county's profile as a destination has never been higher. Our awards are our way of recognising and celebrating how amazing our tourism businesses are and every single winner should be especially proud."