A Kenilworth pub has come second in the West Midlands Tourism 'Taste of the West Midlands Award' 2022.

Held at Coombe Abbey, the ceremony saw 13 awards handed out to the region's best food and drink businesses, with The Cross at Kenilworth snatching silver in its category.

And the New Street pub was only pipped to first place by its sister restaurant Simpsons.

Both Michelin Star eateries are owned by chef Andreas Antona and will now go up against the best hospitality businesses in the country at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, held in the summer.

A statement on the pub's website said: "We are proud to say that we came second in the West Midlands Tourism 'Taste of the West Midlands Award 2022', whilst Simpsons was awarded first place in the same category.

"This award highlights both restaurants not just as innovative leaders in the industry but also as providers of excellent service in what was a very challenging few years.

"We, alongside Simpsons, will now go up against the best restaurants in the country in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence held this summer."

Other categories at the awards included Visitor Attraction of the Year, Pub of the Year and the New Tourism Business Award.

Andrew Lovett, chair of the West Midlands Regional Board for Tourism, said: "The West Midlands Tourism Awards provided us with a lovely opportunity to get together and to say a loud collective thank you to the staff and owners at visitor attractions, accommodation and hospitality venues for the warmest of welcomes they've provided over the past two years.

"The tourism community has shown remarkable resilience and ingenuity in the way it has responded to and come through the pandemic. With restrictions and rules now removed, I hope that more people choose to visit the West Midlands and enjoy the once-in-a-generation summer of great festivals and events, led by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

"My message to people working in tourism is to hold-on to your confidence and don't forget that before the pandemic you were successful and highly valued by visitors for the experiences you brought to their lives. Success and growth is and will continue to return to our industry."