Paultons Park, at Ower, near Romsey, has been voted the national winner of the first Best UK Place2go award.

The awards, sponsored by Raring2go! the national network of "what's on and where to get it" magazines aimed at parents of children aged up to 11, encouraged youngsters nationwide to vote for their favourite place to go by sending in a picture of their nomination.

The competition was entered by more than 3,000 schoolchildren in towns and rural areas covered by the Raring2go! network.

Paultons attracted the most votes to become most popular attraction in the UK, beating off stiff competition from Legoland, Whipsnade Zoo and Twycross Zoo, which finished second, third and fourth respectively.

Rob Griffiths, marketing manager, said: "We are proud to be the first winners of the Best Place2go Award. It's a great achievement for us. The award was voted by children, so it gives us a real sense of success and shows that we are truly providing children and their families with a great day out.

Debbie Hotham, who runs the Raring2go! Southampton franchise with John Duckworth, contacted Paultons Park to congratulate them on their winning nomination.

"The competition has been a real success for us as well, both on a local and national level. The different destinations nominated and the enthusiasm of the children has given us and all of our franchisees a great insight on the type of place that really appeals to children and which will prove very useful to both readers and advertisers."

John added: "Most mums and dads need to plan their family days out in advance to make sure the time they spend with their children isn't wasted. This has been a great catalyst in bridging the gap between parents, their children and what makes a good day out for all the family."

Paultons Park, set in 140 acres of beautiful parkland, boasts more than 50 different family ride and attractions, as well as a a huge variety of exotic birds and two museums.