More prizes keep rolling in for Eastbourne following the town's win as number-one resort for group bookings in the UK.

The Grand Hotel in King Edward's Parade has been presented with a Coastal Corker award and one of Which? magazine's hotels-of-the-year slots in its Hotel Guide 2001.

The guide comes out next year and features reviews based on service and standards of hotels around the country.

The Grand was one of only four hotels nationwide to win the title of Coastal Corker and comes after a multi-million pound refurbishment.

According to the Which? report, the hotel provides a flawless performance. It said: "The Grand is back where it should be, setting standards for hospitality in the 21st Century as it did when it first opened its doors in the 19th.

"The Grand has had a total makeover, keeping all that wonderful heavy ornate architecture but setting it off with light colours more in keeping with modern tastes."

The staff get a special mention in the report and are described as a slick team.

Grand Hotel manager Jonathan Webley said: "We could not have asked for a better report in the guide and to get one of the few Coastal Corker awards is the icing on the cake.

"I am particularly pleased that the members of staff were so highly praised and it is a fitting tribute to their hard work as a team. They have striven to maintain the very best in customer care and standards of service and this has been reflected in the award."

The hotel-guide award follows a string of commendations including the Interior Refurbishment prize in the Elegant Eastbourne Architectural Awards 2001 and the Eastbourne Society Gold Award.

It also won the Eastbourne in Bloom award for the best large hotel garden in the town.

Eastbourne Borough Council spokesman for tourism, leisure and amenities Barbara Goodall said: "The news of The Grand being nationally recognised demonstrates the quality facilities that Eastbourne has to offer.

"Visitors everywhere are constantly demanding higher standards of service. The Grand's considerable investment in the building and staff will help Eastbourne exceed customer expectations well into the future.

"We are very proud of The Grand for this achievement."