BOURNEMOUTH has scooped a coveted silver award for Best UK Coastal Town or Resort at the British Travel Awards 2012.

More than 100,000 UK households cast some 1,088,339 votes for the awards, the largest consumer ceremony in the UK, making it the definitive reference for consumer opinion of the UK travel industry.

Mark Smith, pictured, director of Bournemouth Tourism, said it was a “real honour” to be presented with the award, particularly as it was voted for by the public.

He added: “Everyone in Bournemouth’s tourism industry has worked enormously hard in what has been perhaps the toughest economic year we’ve yet had.

“The fact that it is visitors to Bournemouth who voted makes it even more of an honour. This award recognises the efforts and quality of everyone engaged in tourism and puts the resort on a solid footing for 2013.”

Bournemouth was also shortlisted for Best UK Visitor Guide Website, for bournemouth.co.uk.

British Travel Awards chief executive officer Lorraine Barnes Burton said: “We know that the past four years have meant ever more tightening of belts, squeezing of budgets and cutbacks for everyone.

“But more than 400 companies were represented at the awards, celebrating 139 winners, making it quite simply the largest consumer voted awards programme in the UK if not the world.”