A HUDDERSFIELD bar The Cotton Factory is in the running for two national awards.

The Cotton Factory, on King Street, has made the final in the best interior design and best new bar categories in The Publican Magazine's annual awards.

The awards, recognised as the "Oscars" of the licensed trade, will be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London, on March 21.

Comedian Bill Bailey will host for the 15th Publican Awards - and 18 will be handed out on the night.

The Cotton Factory was opened six months ago by Rotherham company Daisychain Inns.

It is housed in a Victorian Grade II listed building, which was restored at a cost of £2.5m.

Wendy Lambert, general manager at The Cotton Factory, said: "We are so thrilled.

"So much energy and commitment has gone into making this the best night out in the region.

"It is so rewarding to see that recognised by the people who are the most important to us, our customers."

The bar has different levels to suit its three different identities.

By day it is a place to eat at lunchtime and in the early evening it transforms into a spot for after-work drinks.

But at night it becomes a vibrant place with resident DJs Martin Doorly from Ministry of Sound, Matt Barker of Speedqueen and Domski from One Love providing entertainment.

The Cotton Factory has already scooped the Galaxy Nightlife Award for Best Bar in Yorkshire and north Lincolnshire.

This is voted for by the public, who logged on to the Galaxy radio station website during January to give The Cotton Factory their firm seal of approval.

To celebrate the success, the bar will host a huge party on March 17.

DJs from Galaxy FM will be providing entertainment, along with surprise celebrity guests.

Wendy said: "It is our way of saying a huge thank you to Cotton Factory regulars who, night after night, make this the best bar around."

It is also set to make the shortlists of several other design awards run by Theme Magazine, The Northern Hospitality Awards, Night Magazine and Class Magazine. It has also been entered in the Kirklees Council annual Best West Yorkshire Restoration Project awards.