Local attractions recognised in London-wide tourism awards

Southwark Tourist Information Centre is based at Vinopolis

The Cross River Partnership's Gems initiative, promoting off-the-beaten-track attractions in north Southwark and north Lambeth, received a bronze award in the Best Borough category.

Southwark also scooped a silver award in the Best London Event category for its annual Frost Fair held every December. This year's Frost Fair runs from 16 to 18 December on the Bankside riverwalk. There will be music, shopping, entertainment and an ice slide.

The London Eye collected prizes in two categories – gold in the Tour London section, and London Tonight Best Day Out for Londoners – voted by regional news viewers – went to the London Eye and River Cruise package.

In the Large Visitor attraction category, Tate Modern picked up a silver award.

Southwark's awards were collected by the council's executive member for culture, Cllr Columba Blango, who said: "This really does prove that Southwark is a major tourist hotspot in London. Southwark is packed full of exciting tourist attractions. I am delighted they are getting the recognition they deserve and I hope more people will choose to visit Southwark and find out for themselves what's on offer."

"I am delighted that Southwark Tourist Information Centre has won this award," manager Eleanor Marriott told the London SE1 website. "I have always felt that the Centre was a credit to Southwark Council and a clear example of the council's commitment to tourism provision in the borough." She added: "I'm grateful to my staff for providing such an excellent service and to Southwark Council tourism department for having the vision to create and fund the Centre."

SE1-based conference centre operators etc venues – whose Prospero House venue on Borough High Street opened earlier this year – scooped gold in the Best for Business category.