COTEBROOK Shire Horse Centre has scooped the top regional tourism award for the third time, just a month after it won Judge’s Choice Award.

The horse centre, near Tarporley, was named Small Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Cheshire Marketing Awards.

This is the third time the horse centre has won the accolade and comes just a month after it was awarded the Judge’s Choice Award at the Cheshire Business Awards.

The centre, based on the A49 in Cotebrook, is the UK’s only working stud farm open to the public.

Janet King, who runs the centre with her husband Alistair said: “We have had a fantastic year so far with eight horses ready to give birth in the new year, and these awards have been the icing on the cake.

“It is fantastic to have the hard work of the team recognised and we would like to thank all our visitors who are so supportive of the work we do.”

Judges at the Cheshire Marketing Awards said that Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre won because it ‘demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence and continuous improvement of their business.

The care for the environment and community was second to none, in turn increasing their overall increase of visitors per year’.

Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre will now automatically be entered into the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2014.

The centre, which has 20 Shire horses as well as animals including otters, polecats, owls, pigs, sheep and chickens, a Lakeside Café and gift shop, is open every day of the year except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.