This week we call in at a most popular Hyndburn Hostelry. The Queens Hotel is a pub I have never visited — and yes, I am sure that will come as a surprise to some of you.

The Queens is ideally situated, less than five minutes walk from the bus station and has a pedestrian crossing right outside — very handy for reporters with a visual impairment.

The pub is owned by Weston Castle, who are based in Bamber Bridge and own a couple of dozen watering holes in the North West.

It is managed by Geoff Hill, who only took over the pub a week ago although Geoff has been involved in the pub trade for many years, and had recently been helping to run the pub for the previous landlord.

Geoff said: “The manager’s post was available. I had looked after the pub recently so decided to apply. I was successful.”

The pub is quite unusual in that it has the bar in the centre of the spacious, open-planned lounge.and has also been recently extended.

However, that did not detract from the cosy, warm atmosphere you detect when you walk into this friendly establishment.

There are two, snug-type areas on either side of the pub’s entrance and there are seated areas that run parallel down the sides of the bar. It is what I call an old-fashioned type boozer, with open fires, stained wooden floors and lots of old photos of the area adorning the walls There is a superb range of cask ales at the pub, six in total, all priced at £2.50, with the exception of John Smith's Cask at £2.30 a pint.

The Queens is full of friendly characters and one typical regular was Mary, who said: “Everyone is friendly and pleasant here and what helps is that the staff are as daft as the customers — or is it the other way around?”

The pub has carved out an excellent reputation for fine cask conditioned beer.

The ale was in exceptional condition.

I plumped for IIkley Brewery Gold — a clean, refreshing golden ale, lightly hopped and bursting with zesty, grapefruit flavours.

The place was getting well populated and there was a most friendly group of regulars in one of the pub's cosy corners. A very interesting discussion was taking place.

Clarity of the local rivers and canals, was their chosen subject — and the usual tales of catching fish of varying lengths and weight.

One regular, Mick, commented: “It's a £1,000 fine now, if you are caught without a licence on t’canal you know — a thousand quid!”

I just love these typically traditional, friendly boozers, rich in social entertainment and offering a fine choice of ales.