Winner of Coach Driver of the Year, Cass Winston Douglas, and Chris Evitt of CoachChoice with his two awards.

Over two dozen companies and organisations across the spectrum of UK coach tourism were recognised and rewarded for their excellence and good practice at the UK Coach Awards, which took place on Friday 27th March at London’s Tower Hotel.

A multiple winner was Wolverhampton-based CoachChoice who won the Belmont International UK Coach Operator of the Year award and Coach Operator of the Year (Small Fleets) category. Cass Winston Douglas of CoachChoice was also given much-earned recognition in the Coach Driver of the Year award.

The awards were supported by Group Travel Organiser alongside Coach and Bus Week magazine and the winners in the Coach Operator of the Year and Coach Driver of the Year categories were shortlisted by readers of GTO.

Industry suppliers, tourist and shopping attractions, local authorities and service suppliers who adopt coach-friendly policies were also honoured.

The evening kicked off with a reception in the Tower Hotel’s new Bridge Suite, with its stunning views over the River Thames and Tower Bridge.

BBC Breakfast’s Carol Kirkwood compered and the evening also featured video presentations and some surprise entertainment in the form of excerpts from the smash hit West End musical ‘Mamma Mia!’ and top illusionist Nigel Meade.

The charity for the evening was the Rainbow Trust, which specialises in looking after terminally ill children and their families. A prize raffle helped raise just over £1,000 for the Trust.

For further information visit www.ukcoachawards.co.uk