A LUXURY hotel in the New Forest has been named wedding venue of the year.

Balmer Lawn Hotel and Spa took the award in the south central category at the Wedding Industry Awards.

The Brockenhurst venue will now go through as a finalist in the national Wedding Industry Awards, which will be held on January 24.

Ruth Mundy, Balmer Lawn’s wedding executive, said: “We are over the moon to win this award.

“This recognition speaks volumes about the passion and effort our team puts into every wedding at Balmer Lawn.

"It's an absolute thrill to see our commitment to crafting magical experiences acknowledged in such a meaningful way.

“We’re now even more inspired to continue setting new standards of excellence in the world of weddings.”

The Wedding Industry Awards is an annual event that sets out to find the most outstanding venues and wedding suppliers from across the UK.

The awards are judged by a panel of expert and multi-award-winning judges in the wedding industry.

Balmer Lawn holds regular wedding showcases to exhibit its award-winning venue.

This includes a range of luxury spaces to choose from, from the après ski lodge to the classic wedding breakfast rooms, and its grounds, where wild horses roam across the woodland.