Tong Garden Centre at Bradford has been awarded Highly Commended in the Outstanding Customer Service category of this year’s White Rose Awards awards.

The awards, hosted by Welcome to Yorkshire, celebrate of tourism excellence and recognise businesses and achievements across 17 categories.

Co-owner, Mark Farnsworth said: “Exceptional customer service is at the heart of everything that we do at Tong and it is very rewarding for the team to see their efforts being recognised in this way.”

The judges said the centre’s management and staff were what impressed them most. “Their warm welcome for all customers and the wealth of knowledge and useful tips that Tong's expert gardeners pass on are hugely appreciated by its growing number of visitors.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The White Rose Awards are a great opportunity for us all to celebrate the wonderful Yorkshire businesses that work so hard to make this county a world-class visitor destination.”