A CLACKS tourism initiative has become the inaugural winner of the Celebrating Thriving Communities Award.

Alloa Hub earned the accolade at the Scottish Thistle Awards, held on Thursday, September 21.

The Wee County hub business also became the first recipient of the award in its inaugural year.

Anthea Coulter, Alloa Hub Limited trustee, said: “Winning the Scottish Thistle Awards will help put Clackmannanshire and Alloa on the map.

“The Alloa Hub is our own community-led visitor centre, set up and invested in by local people and organisations to welcome visitors and with an attraction of its own - the Clackmannanshire Tapestry within it produced by volunteers.

“Now, we have a place where visitors can start their journey and discover everything the Wee County has to offer.

“They can explore the industrial heritage, learn about philanthropists who led a design and architecture movement that build on the area’s wealth, as well as discover our wonderful Ochils and cycleways.”

Alloa Hub is a community-led venture that took the derelict toilet block in the town centre and transformed it into a locally-focused visitor centre.

The Hub aims to promote everything going on in the Wee County and was established as a partnership between Clackmannanshire Council, Alloa First, Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface and Discover Clacks.

The hub is the first of its kind in the area and provides a shop, visitor centre, workshop, electric bike pod, public toilet and shower.

Alloa First will now progress to the national final, due to be held in December, where they will go up against regional winners from across the country in their category.

Lynsey Eckford, regional director for VisitScotland, said: “Congratulations to all of the regional winners at the Central and East Scotland Thistle Awards.

“These awards demonstrate the variety and quality of the tourism and events offered in the region and I would like to extend my best wishes to the regional finalists, and in particular the regional winners as they now go forward to the national final in December.”