MORE than 20 businesses and visitor attractions have been shortlisted for the Worcestershire Welcome Awards 2012.

Malvern Theatres has been nominated in three of the 10 categories, while Cotswold Conference Centre at Broadway, Pear Tree Catering, which operates the Orchard Cafe at The Hive in Worcester, Cob House Fisheries of Wichenford and Severn Valley Railway, based in Kidderminster, have all been nominated in two each.

Malvern Theatres has reached the final stage of visitor attraction of the year, sustainable tourism and tourism business website.

Chief executive Nic Lloyd said: “This is very pleasing news.

“We have worked very hard on our customer care in recent years and endeavoured to keep abreast of modern technology in a rapidly changing world.

“It is a great credit to all our hard working staff.”

Cottage in the Wood, in Holywell Road, Malvern Wells, is nominated in the hotel of the year category while Treherne House, in Guarlford Road, Great Malvern is in the running for bed and breakfast/guest accommodation of the year.

A panel of independent judges will assess each finalist against a list of criteria and the winners will be announced at the Worcestershire Welcome Awards ceremony on Thursday, October 18, from 2pm at Sixways, Worcester.