TOP comedian Jarred Christmas will host a glittering event to honour East Yorkshire's best attractions.

He will be the guest star and master of ceremonies at the Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism (REYTAs) awards.

Jarred was a hit at the 2010 Hull Freedom Festival, and has won awards for his unique brand of comedy.

The popular funnyman will get the awards ceremony off to a cracking start at Bridlington Spa on Thursday.

Regional tourism champion, Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY), is organising the awards to give tourism businesses the chance to shine.

Jarred said: "It was a great privilege to open last year's Freedom spectacular so I'm really looking forward to being back in Hull and East Yorkshire again – this time beside the seaside.

"The REYTAs are a celebration of the best and brightest of East Yorkshire's tourism industry and it's going to be a great event."

Mail readers have had their say in this year's awards by registering more than 3,000 votes for their favourites in two of the categories.

Mail News & Media, publishers of the newspaper, is sponsoring the Remarkable Pub and Remark Experience – two of the 13 awards.

Two other awards, Remarkable East Yorkshire Passion and Remarkable East Yorkshire, will be selected by the VHEY board of directors.

Janet Reuben, VHEY chief executive, said: "The REYTAs will be a spectacular evening to mark the huge success of tourism in Hull and East Yorkshire and help ensure the businesses and individuals working within it receive the recognition they deserve.

"Jarred is a welcome addition to this glittering gala evening."

The REYTAs were launched last year and attracted an overwhelming response from the region's tourism industry.

The ceremony was the biggest event ever held at the Lazaat Restaurant Bar Hotel in Cottingham, with more than 300 attendees.

Elaine Townend, who owns Millers Tea Room And Farm Shop, at Raywell Lodge Park, won an award last year for providing the region with the best 'Real Cuppa'.

She said: "The great thing about these awards is that it is local people voting for local businesses.

"It is really important recognition of what we have on offer in East Yorkshire.

"The fact local people can vote for things like this keeps businesses on their toes."