THE waiting is almost over for some 60 local firms who have been shortlisted in the North Devon Awards 2008.

Today the

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   GUEST SPEAKER: Shepherd, author and film-maker David Kennard with one of his famous dogs.

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   ORGANISING: Martin Wickham, general manager for North Devon +, which has organised the competition.

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North Devon Journal

publishes the complete list of all the shortlisted companies in the Tourism, Business, and Food and Drink categories.

And tomorrow the names of the winning firms will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony.

The competition was organised by North Devon +.

Hundreds of nominations were received from local businesses, residents and visitors to North Devon.

Judges have been working hard to choose the worthy winners.

The final winners in each category will be announced tomorrow evening at the inaugural awards ceremony at Castle Hill, Filleigh.

Tickets for the gala dinner sold out weeks ago.

The names of the winners will also be published on the North Devon Awards website from December 1. The address is www.northdevonawards.co.uk.

Martin Wickham, general manager for North Devon+ said: "We are delighted to be able to release this shortlist of winners and congratulate all those businesses who have made it this far.

"It is great that they have taken the time and trouble to send in their nominations and I'm sure the resulting publicity the businesses will receive will make this a great investment for them.

"We are now looking forward to the Winter Wonderland themed awards ceremony where a wonderful evening awaits our guests.

"As you'd expect from a North Devon+ event, the imaginative, locally-produced dinner will be a highlight.

"We are fortunate to have secured shepherd and celebrity David Kennard as our guest speaker, whilst there will also be a charity raffle in aid of North Devon Hospice and some great music!"

The main sponsors for the gala evening are Evans Transport and Salt Media, while other sponsors that have supported this year's awards include NatWest, Business Link, Maynard Johns,

North Devon Journal

, and Farm & Cottage Holidays.

The shortlisted winners are:

TOURISM AWARDS

Best caravan park: Damage Barton, Mortehoe; Hidden Valley Park, Ilfracombe; Riverside Caravan Park, South Molton.

Best hotel: George Hotel, South Molton; Northcote Manor, Umberleigh; The Elmfield, Ilfracombe.

Best B&B/guest house: Lower Yelland Farm, Fremington; The Dorchester Guest House, Ilfracombe; West Down, Atherington.

Best self catering: Millbrook Cottages, Umberleigh; North Hayne Farm Cottages, South Molton; Yapham Cottages, Hartland.

Best visitor attraction: Big Sheep, Bideford; Ilfracombe Aquarium, Ilfracombe; Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, Parracombe.

Best activity provider: Breathing Space, Bideford; Calvert Trust, Barnstaple; Keypitts Stables 'N' Quads, Ilfracombe.

BUSINESS AWARDS

Best business start up: Convallis Software Ltd, Chulmleigh; Hemp Fabric UK, Barnstaple; Tawsa Ltd, Barnstaple.

Most improved business: Aquarius Swimschool, Barnstaple; Chapel Farm Holidays, Croyde; Fox & Hounds Country Hotel, Eggesford.

Valuing your team: Ark Nursing & Care Agency Ltd, Bideford; Complete Computing SW Ltd, Bideford; Golden Coast Ltd, Barnstaple.

Best new product/service: Alvesta Energy Ltd, Ilfracombe; Fox & Hounds Country Hotel, Eggesford; Tiki International Ltd, Braunton.

New Market Growth: Reveal Media Ltd, Beaworthy; Storage Solutions Ltd, Torrington.

Community involvement: Country Cousins, Ilfracombe; Raise Marketing Ltd, Ilfracombe; Zena's, Barnstaple.

Commitment to the environment: Brend Hotels, Barnstaple; Hemp Fabric UK, Barnstaple; Millbrook Cottages, Umberleigh.

Food and drink award

Best restaurant: Bensons, Appledore; Cheristow Country Restaurant, Hartland; Masons Arms, South Molton; The Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar, Ilfracombe.

Best cafe: Cheristow, Eggesford Garden & Country Centre Café, Eggesford; Tordown Farm, Barnstaple; Wild Thyme Juice Café, Braunton.

Best pub: The Anchor Inn, Hartland; Black Venus, Challacombe; The George Hotel, Braunton; The Mitre Inn, Witheridge.

Best specialist retailer: Crescent Foods, Mortehoe; S&P Fish/Lundy Fish, Barnstaple; Walkers Chocolate Emporium, Ilfracombe.

Best local producer: Besshill Farm Shop, Barnstaple; Indicknowle Farm Shop, Combe Martin; The Farm Shop at West Yeo Moor Farm, Witheridge.

Best traditional fish and chips: Graylings Fish & Chip Shop, Fremington; Southsixteen Fish and Chip Restaurant & Takeaway, Braunton; Squires Fish Restaurant & Takeaway, Braunton.