Seaton Jurassic has been named runner-up in a prestigious national tourism award scheme.

The £24million visitor atrtaction, which only opened in March, has scooped second place in the category of ‘Best UK Day-out for Families’ at the annual Family Traveller Awards.

Owned by East Devon District Council and operated by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust, Seaton Jurassic has welcomed an estimated 35,000 visitors through its doors in its first six months since it was opened by HRH the Princess Royal.

The Family Traveller Awards are presented within 25 different categories ranging from Best Family Theme Park to Best Family Festival and everything in between.

Seaton Jurassic was chosen from more than 1,600 nominations received across all categories. A shortlist of 300 visitor attractions and venues was then made by the Family Traveller team before the launch of a public poll, which resulted in 18,000 votes being cast.

The exhaustive process then entered its final phase with a panel of expert judges including writer Mariella Frostrup and BBC’s go-to travel documentary maker Simon Reeve, making the decision on category winners and runners-up.

Despite this being Seaton Jurassic’s first year of operation it beat off hundreds of competitors to be named second only to the Royal Zoological Society’s Whipsnade Zoo in the coveted ‘Best UK Day-out for families’ award.

The public and judges admired Seaton Jurassic’s unique and quirky telling of the history of life along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Mike Ruiter, the manager of Seaton Jurassic, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that we came second.

“It was a huge field and we were facing very impressive competition in the shape of some of the nation’s best-known tourism venues.

“Recognition by the public and by expert judges from the travel industry is a tribute to my team of staff and volunteers.

“Together we offer a wonderful day-out at Seaton Jurassic.”

Cllr Paul Diviani, leader of East Devon District Council, said: “This award comes just a few months since Seaton Jurassic has opened and it’s testament to the great team we have working there that families are coming back to visit again and again. Long may it continue.”

Seaton Jurassic’s visitor facilities and café are open seven days a week. To plan a visit, go to www.seatonjurassic.org