Titanic Belfast has been named Europe's leading visitor attraction at the World Travel Awards.

It is the first time a visitor centre in Northern Ireland has won the award, known as the tourism 'Oscars'.

The centre commemorates the ill-fated liner which was built in Belfast over 100 years ago and sank on its maiden transatlantic voyage in 1912.

It was up against some of the most famous tourism destinations in Europe at last night's awards in Sardinia, Italy.

Titanic Belfast was named Europe's Leading Visitor Attraction beating the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, and La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

The centre, which was opened four years ago on the slipways in Belfast's Docks where Titanic was constructed, last month welcomed its three millionth visitor.