NINE tourism businesses in West Oxfordshire have won special awards after flagging up their eco-friendly credentials.

The Cotswolds Green Tourism project encourages businesses to take part in a green audit, which assesses their environmental credentials and suggests efficiency measures such as reducing energy consumption, water and waste.

Gold award winners were The Forge bed and breakfast, and the Crown and Cushion Hotel, both in Chipping Norton.

Silver accolades went to Mill Cottage (self-catering accommodation) and the Moat End bed and breakfast, also both in Chipping Norton and the Barley Park bed and breakfast, Burford.

Bronze winners were the Meadow Bank House bed and breakfast and Plum Cottage (self-catering), both of Ascott-under-Wychwood, King John's Barn (self-catering), Leafield and Laughton's Retreat (self-catering), Woodstock.

The awards were organised by the Cotswolds Conservation Board and West Oxfordshire District Council.

Verena Hunt, member of the Cotswolds Conservation Board said: "This really demonstrates the link between tourism and the need to protect the local environment, which is the key asset for the tourism industry."

Councillor Tony Walker, West Oxfordshire District Council's cabinet member for tourism and economic development, said: "We are pleased to be involved in a project that encourages businesses to see the economic benefits of becoming more environmentally friendly.

"Being green can save money as well as protecting our environment for the future of the tourism industry."

Over the next two years the businesses will be invited to take part in green tourism workshops led by the Cotswolds Conservation Board and West Oxfordshire District Council.

The project will end in two years' time with a final audit and a second set of awards.