Cumbrian tourist operators have put in a strong performance at the British Travel Awards.

The awards were announced at a ceremony at Battersea Evolution, in London, last month.

For the third year running, Keswick-based Archipelago Choice was announced as the winner of Best Small Holiday Company to the Iberian Peninsula and Islands for its Azores and Madeira holidays.

The island holiday specialist has been organising tailor-made holidays to the Azores since 1998, and has since added Cape Verde, Saõ Tomé and Príncipe and Madeira and now employs eight people.

Director Sarah Bennett said: “These are the awards that mean the most to us because they reflect the quality of service we provide to the people from all over the world who travel with us to the Azores and Madeira every year. Because we know the islands so well, our clients have an authentic experience, which supports the local independent accommodation and activity providers. Almost all of our customers say that their holiday with us is the best they’ve ever had.”

Her husband and fellow director, Ian Coates, said: “It is a very prestigious travel award, voted for by our amazing clients. We have an incredibly enthusiastic and growing team in the UK, the Azores and Madeira who pride themselves on knowing the islands intimately and are able to advise on the best places to stay and the most wonderful things to see and do.”

Meanwhile Lake District holiday cottage letting agency Sally’s Cottages won gold in the Best UK Holiday Cottage Booking Company category.

Sally Fielding, owner of Sally’s Cottages, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have been able to accept this award on behalf of the whole team.  We have won silver for the past three years and to receive gold this year is just a dream come true. It’s a real testament to everyone who works so hard to make Sally’s Cottages the best in the business, and to all the people who voted for us, who believe we can do it.”

The company was set up by Sally in 2003 with just one holiday cottage and today employs 21 people.

British Travel Awards’ chief executive Lorraine Barnes Burton said: “Sally’s Cottages is to be congratulated on winning Best UK Holiday Cottage Booking Company. The British Travel Awards are the only travel industry accolade voted for exclusively by the consumer and the Awards serve to recognise all that is great about travel, as experienced by the travelling public.  To win a British Travel Award is a true achievement.”