KENT has scooped a host of top tourism accolades in the annual Group Travel Awards.

Rochester won the award for best provision of group facilities, while the best shopping venue for groups was Bluewater, near Dartford.

Gillingham-based coach firm, The King’s Ferry, won in the best large coach operator category and the overall best group supplier was City Cruiser Holidays in Rochester.

Organised by Group Travel Organiser magazine, the awards ceremony was held at the London Hilton, in Park Lane, on June 6. The event was hosted by BBC TV’s Sophie Raworth.

Lynn Redgrave, director of marketing for South East England Tourist Board, said: "We are proud the region has been recognised for its excellent group travel product and facilities and congratulate the winners and runners-up from the south east for their sterling work."