THE borough's best places for family friendly fun have been recognised at a special awards ceremony.

Automatic Café at The Met, Fairy Godmother's Pamper Palace in Radcliffe and East Lancashire Railway were among the winners at this year's Raring2Go! Awards.

The awards were founded by Jayne Deakin, a Bury mum of two and editor of Raring2Go! Bury and Bolton, a magazine website and social media outfit which shares information about the latest family events, activities and offers in the region.

They aim to create a platform for family-friendly businesses to shout about what makes them different.

More than 5,000 nominations, for a range of categories, from best Pre-school class to best attraction, were sent in in less than one month by families across the two boroughs.

The top scorers were then shortlisted and invited to a ceremony at the Elizabethan Suite at Bury Town on May 24 where the champions were crowned.

Ms Deakin said: "It's brilliant — Bury and Bolton are bursting with at the seams with brilliant businesses and these awards recognise that.

"They have given families the opportunity to nominate their favourites, and they have really risen to the challenge.

"We have literally been overwhelmed by the amazing response."

An overall winner from each area was also named GO-TO-GUIDE'S GREATEST for 2018 after securing the most votes in an individual category — with Boomerang Multi-Sensory Play Centre, in Woodhill Street, claiming the title in Bury.

Boomerang's Emma Birkett said she could not believe the news, adding: I'm thrilled, it's amazing all our hard work has been recognised by local families.

"Brilliant result for Boomerang, we are so pleased."

Full list of winners:

Best Soft Play — Boomerang and Fidgets

Best Pre-School Class — KidsRock and TumbleTots

Best School-Age Class — Cook Stars and Bolton Tuition Centre

Best Party Entertainer or Venue — Fairy Godmothers Pamper Palace and Jump Xtreme

Best Holiday Club — CommuniTree and Key PE Sports

Best Family Attraction or Event — East Lancashire Railway

Best Family Place to Eat — Automatic Café and Frankie and Benny's

Best Family Retailer — Ramsbottom Traditional Sweetshop and Little Wanderers

Best Childcare Provider — Little Holcombe Nursery and Super Stars Nursery

Best Family Service — Home Start and Bolton Library Service

Best New Business — Paint a Pot and BeNINJA

Reader's Choice Award — Fusilier Museum and babyballet