VALE Royal Borough Council’s tourism guru Andrea Peattie was still walking on air this week after walking off with the top honour at last week’s glittering Cheshire Awards for Tourism.

Andrea, the council’s tourism manager, was stunned to find out she had beaten more than 100 other nominees to win the award for Exceptional Contribution to Tourism.

She was nominated by the council’s chief executive, Anne Bingham-Holmes, and didn’t know anything about it until she arrived at the ceremony.

The nomination read: “In a role that touches the lives of residents, visitors, attractions and businesses at a local, regional, national and international level, Andrea brings an enthusiasm that never falters and a commitment so deep that it seems to run through her veins.”

A delighted Andrea said: “I was totally surprised but delighted to have won this award. Working in the tourism industry is fascinating, challenging and rewarding and working alongside the high quality, dynamic tourism businesses in Vale Royal is such a pleasure.

“This award is a tribute to all the great people in the tourism industry that I have worked with over a very long period of time”