A RURAL pub has completed a hat-trick of accolades for its beer quality and community contribution.

The Swan With Two Necks in Pendleton has been crowned the Ribble Valley, East Lancashire and Lancashire Pub of the Year 2016.

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The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) awards went to the pub in Main Street, which will now go forward to compete for the national prize later this year.

The family-run businesses also won the county prize in 2011 and 2013.

Steve Dilworth, 62, who has run the pub with his wife Christine, 56, for 29 years, said the pub was the hub of the community.

He said: “We were absolutely thrilled to receive these awards, it goes to show all the hard work from myself, my wife and all the staff here has paid off.

“The pub is well-loved by the residents and there is a real sense of community here.

“I think the secret to the success is we have always tried to be exactly what we are.

“We are a community pub, we have taken part in a lot of community activities especially with the queen’s big birthday this year.

“We are part of the workings of the village, we have lots of regulars and we know them well.

“It’s not a gastro pub, people can have a drink and play darts or dominoes, or enjoy the football on one of the screens.

“It would be great if we could become the national pub of the year, but we will have to wait and see what happens.”

CAMRA is an independent organisation which campaigns for the safety and security of pubs and consumer rights.

The pubs in contention were judged on the quality of ales on the bar, the staff’s knowledge of the ales, community involvement and overall feel of the pub.

Mrs Dilworth said: “The only downside to this is now the pub will be even busier and I will have no time to go out shopping, but it’s all part of the fun.”