The 2005 Farm Attraction of the Year awards have been announced by the National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN).

In their fourth year, the awards recognise the leading farm-based attractions in three different categories – over 50,000 visitors a year, 20,000-50,000 visitors a year and under 20,000 visitors a year.

This year's winner in the largest category was Cannon Hall Farm in Yorkshire, near Barnsley.

The attraction's facilities include an adventure playground, hundreds of animals – including exotic as well as farm animals – a farm shop, a tea room and a 150-cover picnic room.

Sacrewell Farm & Country Centre near Peterborough and St. Leonard's Farm Park in West Yorkshire shared the award in the medium-size category while Cantref Adventure Farm in Powys, Wales beat the competition in the under 20,000 visitors a year category.

David Nicholson, who owns the Cannon Hall Farm and operates it with his family, was handed the award at Leisure Industry Week (LIW), held at the NEC in Birmingham this week.

"Our strategy is to introduce something new to our attraction every year, as it is the only way to keep ahead of competition and to ensure return visits," Nicholson said.

"The next development is to open a Deli at the site, offering guests products and food farmed and prepared on the farm."

NFAN is a national organisation which aims raise the profiles of all farm and rural attractions throughout the UK.