THE chairman of Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa in Chippenham has been honoured with a special award in recognition of his five decades striving to improve the industry.

Harry Murray MBE was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award for his efforts to raise standards and ongoing support to improve training, education and development across the sector.

The 77-year-old was presented with the award at a black-tie dinner held in Bristol for the South West Tourism Awards of Excellence, where Lucknam Park also received the gold award for best hotel for the second year running and the silver award for best spa.

He said: “I am honoured, delighted and proud to accept this award on behalf of all the people I have worked with throughout my career.

“I’m a great believer in awards I think they encourage people to raise standards.

“I’ve spent my life in this industry and I’ve enjoyed every minute and I still love what I do now.

“My message to young people is find a job you enjoy, if you love it you don’t have to work for a living.”

Mr Murray has received other accolades during his career, including Caterer & Hotelkeeper’s Hotelier of the Year in 1986 when he was chairman of the Master Innholders.

He was also appointed MBE in 2006, received the Catey Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, and the AA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.