Slimbridge Wetland Centre has been awarded a VisitEngland Gold Accolade, the highest quality award available to British attractions, for a second year running.

The Gold Accolade is only awarded to a small percentage of venues each year as part of the Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme and reflects the continued high standards achieved at the centre.

The centre was 'mystery shopped' by a VisitEngland assessor in December 2017 and was graded in areas including visitor arrival, quality of displays, cleanliness and catering, as well as customer care and staff knowledge. To be in contention for a Gold Accolade, attractions need an overall percentage score of at least 87 per cent, which Slimbridge exceeded, with he final score totalling 92 per cent.

Chris Foster, Slimbridge General Manager said: "We're delighted to have retained the VisitEngland Gold Accolade. In addition, we have improved on last year's score - a testament to the enthusiasm, hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers, as well as our wonderful wildlife. This is all made possible by our supporters and with exciting developments afoot, we look forward to maintaining this high level of visitor experience and to provide new and engaging attractions for visitors, familiar and new."