A TRIO of local tourist businesses have won top accolades in separate award schemes.

Dunster's Spears Cross bed and breakfast was named in the top 25 bargain hotels in the 2013 Trip Advisor Traveller's Choice Awards, while Exmoor Zoo and the Calvert Trust were winners in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards.

Spears Cross is no stranger to success, having previously been named as the best bed and breakfast in the South West by South West Tourism, the best bed and breakfast on Exmoor by VisitExmoor and given a gold honour by Taste of the West for its breakfast.

The Trip Advisor awards are in their 11th year and are based on guest reviews written on the firm's website.

Spears Cross owners Cliff and Trish Nicholson said they were thrilled to win a spot in the top 25 in the country.

"While we are too small to be officially classified as a hotel, we offer the same amenities and level of luxury as a good quality country house hotel, hence us being places in the bargain hotel category," Mrs Nicholson said.

"For us to become a winner within Trip Advisor is quite an achievement."

Exmoor Zoo received the gold award in the small visitor attraction of the year category in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards.

And the Calvert Trust Exmoor, which specialises in outdoor activities for people with disabilities, won a silver award in the access for all section.

Entries came from across the South West and chairman of the judging panel Alistair Handyside said the winners would now go on to represent the region in the national Visit England awards.

"Once again, leading tourism businesses in the South West have excelled themselves in maintaining a strong tradition of innovation and quality," he said.