A Cumbrian tourism business is celebrating winning through to the regional finals of a national competition.

Lakes Cottage Holidays, which has branches in Keswick and Windermere, has been honoured in the Hotels and Leisure category of the National Family Business of the Year Awards.

If they win the North and Northern Ireland regional title, they will be in contention for the overall title of Family Business of the Year.

Lakes Cottage Holidays is owned by David and Julia Hogarth who run it with the help of their daughters Rachael and Sasha.

Rachael said: "Sasha and I feel completely supported by our parents in developing our experience through working in the different areas of the business.

"Dad lets us take on different projects quite freely and he's always there to advise and help. We are all working towards the same goals of growing the business and to enjoy it while we're doing so."

She feels it's the fact that they are a close working family, providing other families with their ideal Lake District holiday, that sets them aside from their competitors.

"Whether it's buying properties, renovating or holiday letting, it's in our blood. It's what we know and it's what makes us tick as a family," Rachael added.

"We are absolutely over the moon to be nominated for the National Family Business Awards. We really are a true family business - even the grandkids, who are only five years old, are getting involved now!

"And we could not have got to where we are today without the whole team working so hard, in particular Gail and Karen."

The National Family Business of the Year Awards are organised by Family Business United, an online magazine and resource centre that champions and celebrates the family business sector.

Now in their fifth year, the awards recognise the diversity, strength and depth of family firms across the UK and seek to highlight the contribution that family firms make to the UK economy. They are open to family firms of all generations, sizes and sectors.

David Hogarth, director of Lakes Cottage Holiday - a sister company of high-profile regional estate agency Cumbrian Properties - said: "We have just launched our new website, and are delighted with how well 2017 has gone so far, but we really need more cottages.

"We are recruiting everywhere for the coming season so whether you own a small terraced cottage, log cabin or Lakeland farmhouse, get in touch as we really want to work with you."

The Hogarths and their team at Lakes Cottage Holidays will find out if they have won the overall award at a gala reception and awards ceremony in London on June 8.

For more information on working with Lakes Cottage Holidays, phone (017687) 74060.