Fareham coach company Lucketts won the day excursion programme of the year in The Coach Tourism Awards, which honours the country's leading operators.

Its programme has seen passenger numbers rise by almost 80 per cent in the past year.

More than 350 industry leaders attended the prestigious awards at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Lucketts managing director Ian Luckett said: 'In the past we have won coach tourism awards for our innovation and brochures, and this year business in the day excursion market has been booming. We are pleased that this has been recognised with such an important industry award.

'We know that day trips are really popular with our customers and we have concentrated on introducing new destinations and trips, we have expanded our marketing efforts to ensure that people are aware of this and we have a sophisticated website for people to book online.'

Lucketts Travel has a 50-strong fleet of coaches and has this year invested more than £750,000 in new coaches, driver training and new travel launches.