A POPULAR pub near Whitchurch has been awarded the title of best pub of the year in north Hampshire because of its selection of beers.

The award was presented to the Watership Down Inn by CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) and follows on from the inn's success in 1998.

It is thought to be the first time that any pub has won the accolade more than once.

The pub in Freefolk, run by Mark and Ali Lodge for the last nine years, has five hand pumps including a mild - something many pubs do not have.

The pumps are regularly changed, with more than 100 different beers brought into the pub every year.

They are also keen to stock beer produced locally or from small brewers.

Ali said: "A lot of our customers come here because of the beer we offer. The more obscure the beer, the better."

The Watership Down Inn has featured every year in the Good Beer Guide, which helps to bring in extra trade.

Ali said: "It's great because people who use the book know we're committed to providing good beer."