AN award-winning Bolton guesthouse has been named among the best in the country.

Jumbles Country Park Guesthouse, on the banks of Jumbles Reservoir at Bromley Cross, has been nominated for the Excellence in England Tourism Awards 2004.

Husband and wife partners Colin and Lesley Sobey will know on April 27 if they have won first prize in the bed and breakfast category.

The pair have already won a host of awards for their loving restoration of 18th century Grange Farm, following its opening nearly two years ago.

It became Bolton's first AA-accredited five diamond guesthouse, and has also received a gold accolade in the bed and breakfast and guesthouse of the year category in the North West Tourist Board annual awards. "We're absolutely delighted," said Mrs Sobey about the latest nomination. "We strive for excellence and hopefully this is another way in which that is being recognised."

The former farmhouse has been renovated to include five en-suite bedrooms and has been decorated in keeping with the building's history and location.

Set in 17 acres of land, the site includes stables, a riding arena, hay barns, gardens, boating jetty and fishing rights.

It is praised on the Excellence in England website for its spectacular views across the lake.

Mrs Sobey added: "It's very nice for Bolton to get a mention for its lovely views. People sometimes forget that we have beautiful countryside right the way around the town.

"Hopefully this will show people that there is a lot on offer in the town."

Despite their achievements, the Sobeys are still waiting for a buyer for the guesthouse after it was put on the market last year for £1.5 million.

"We're biding our time and if someone makes us an offer that is within our price bracket then we will think of selling it. We have got our eyes on another project locally that would give us more rooms to rent out," said Mrs Sobey.