BIFFA the giraffe may be a star attraction at Marwell Zoo but the backroom staff have been instrumental in bringing new business to the park.

The park, near Winchester, has won the first-ever trophy for business tourism at the Tourism South East ExSEllence Awards.

Tourism South East, the regional tourism body, brought in the category to acknowledge the importance of organisations offering facilities for conferences, meetings, product launches and social functions.

Marwell's conference team has worked hard to attract full and half-day conferences in Marwell Hall and in the zoo's 120-seat lecture theatre.

They will now go forward as the south-east region's nomination for the national Enjoy England Excellence Awards.

Winners will be announced in April.