Five star Islawrffordd Caravan Park is celebrating after winning the AA Campsite of the Year for Wales 2012 award.

The touring park at Talybont, near Barmouth, received the award from AA inspector Brian Jones at a ceremony attended by Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Assembly Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd.

The AA annually awards the title of national and regional campsites of the year to sites in recognition of exceptionally high standards, service and presentation. To shortlist a potential award winner, the AA inspector looks at recent improvements and innovations that make the park stand out from the crowd, as well looking at the overall quality of the park

Islawrffordd Caravan Park, which celebrated it 55th birthday last September, is a 25-acre park with 75 fully serviced hardstanding pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes, 30 camping plots and 201 caravan holiday homes. A £300,000 upgrade of the park’s entertainment complex, bar, restaurant, takeaway and touring caravan facilities was completed last year. Other facilities include a reception suite, swimming pool complex with a jacuzzi, sauna and luxury toilet block.

Lord Elis-Thomas said: "Holiday parks are vitally important to the tourism industry in Wales and I'm extremely proud that Islawrffordd is showing the way in terms of offering the best possible visitor experience. Islawrffordd Caravan Park offers excellent on-site facilities to include a swimming pool complex and a recently upgraded entertainment centre. The park also offers local employment opportunities and is a key contributor to the area’s economy."