STAFF at a five-star resort are "absolutely delighted" to have been shortlisted for two top industry awards.

Hundreds of hospitality industry leaders met earlier this month to debate entries to The 2019 Catey Awards which honours brands and people from across hotels, restaurants, foodservice and pubs and bars.

Following intense deliberation, Hurworth's Rockliffe Hall hotel, golf and spa resort, near Darlington is in the running in the Independent Hotel of the Year and Best Marketing Campaign categories.

The shortlists and winners are decided by industry judges chosen for their expertise and industry knowledge, making the Cateys the ultimate accolade in peer group recognition. The winners will be revealed at a glittering ceremony in July at London’s Grosvenor House.

Rockliffe Hall faces competition from properties shortlisted for the Independent Hotel of the Year from the Fanab Castle Hotel & Spa in Perthshire, Rudding Park near Harrogate and Yorebridge House in Bainbridge, North Yorkshire.

Eamonn Elliott, chief executive of Rockliffe Hall, said: "I am absolutely delighted that Rockliffe Hall has been shortlisted in two categories for the Cateys. These awards highlight the best in the industry and I'm thrilled for the Rockliffe team.

"Out of the four hotels shortlisted for Independent Hotel of the Year, three are from North Yorkshire and County Durham and the other is in Scotland; so this year's finalists really are proving that the hospitality industry in the North is the cream of the crop, and I look forward to the awards in July."