THE gatekeepers of Dartmouth's tourist attractions have found themselves on the champions' podium of excellence.

The town's self-funded tourist information centre is a triple winner after one of its most successful years ever.

The TIC in Mayor's Avenue won a silver South West Tourism Excellence Award, highlighting the excellent service it provides visitors to the town and port.

The South West Tourism awards, announced at Plymouth's Holiday Inn, saw 66 different awards given out following a rigorous judging process in which a record 350 entries were considered from across the South West region which covers Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the Isles of Scilly. The team received a handmade engraved glass trophy.

The centre was also recognised in the Visit Devon Tourism Awards last November, receiving a silver award.

The team of a dozen or so volunteers, three un-paid directors, one full-time member of staff and three part-time staff were praised for being 'charming, professional and knowledgeable'.

And last Wednesday, as staff were honoured at a special reception in the Guildhall, it was announced Dartmouth TIC had scoped another silver in the Green Tourism Awards.

Director Nigel Way praised staff, particularly the volunteers, whom he described as 'key' to the TIC operation.

'Volunteering is really important,' he said. You are the ambassadors for Dartmouth.

'All of you will have a story as why you came to Dartmouth and hopefully you will be part of the story as to why other people come here too. You are first line of defence, flying the flag for the town. And the fact you are volunteers means you are twice as special.'

Mayor-elect Cllr Rob Lyon thanked the TIC on behalf of the town council and the town generally.

'Dartmouth is a most beautiful town and we are all here because we love it and we want Dartmouth to work,' he said.

'There are lots of things that advertise and market Dartmouth but one thing that does it the best is the TIC – the front door and public face of Dartmouth.'

In the past year the centre has helped more than 114,535 visitors, dispensing 22,600 attraction leaflets, booking accommodation, tours and selling thousands of tickets and programmes for Dartmouth's many festivals and events.

The centre is run from the Engine House which also houses Thomas Newcomen's atmospheric engine, the invention that kick-started the Industrial Revolution.

In the last year, the TIC has also launched a new website, http://www.discoverdartmouth.com">www.discoverdartmouth.com, at a cost of £22,000.

It received 55,000 visits during July and August last year compared to 50,000 during the same period in 2012. In addition, requests for Discover Dartmouth guide increased by 50 per cent compared to the previous year.

Lesley Turner and Sue Stone, the TIC's joint-managers, said: 'We wish to thank all our subscribers and, of course, thanks to all of our wonderful team of volunteer directors, staff, and especially the customer service volunteers. Without them we wouldn't be able to exist and offer such a high level of service to our visitors and subscribers. This is an amazing achievement and recognition for the TIC, Dartmouth and Devon.'

The celebration tea, hosted by the town council and sponsored by the Royal Castle Hotel, was rounded off with a surprise presentation of flowers to TIC volunteer Anna Gwillam, who was celebrating her birthday the following day.

One holiday couple from Southampton, whom she had helped, also sent her a bottle of champagne they were so happy with the service they received.

MP Dr Sarah Wollaston said the TIC team had worked extremely hard to make the information centre a success.

'Dartmouth is now reaping the rewards of their outstanding commitment,' she wrote on her website.

Winners of the national tourism awards will be announced shortly.

l Unwanted mobile phones can now be dropped off at the town's TIC for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust.