A ‘FRIENDLY and welcoming club’ has received two awards including being named the best club in East Lancashire.

The Sydney Street Sport and Social Club in Accrington has been named club of the year 2017 by East Lancashire CAMRA.

It also picked up the group’s prize for best club in Hyndburn.

John Freeman, bar steward at the venue who has worked there for 17 years, said he was ‘shocked and surprised’ to win the award.

The 65-year-old said: “It’s a great award for the place and it should be great for the area.

“Hopefully it will help us get even more people along and help us get even better.

“We get absolutely everyone coming along, people from 18 to 80.

“Especially to win the East Lancashire prize, that was a big surprise.”

The club gets on average around 40 to 50 guests per night.

Mr Freeman said the club is popular for the cask ales it offers.

It features three on tap at a time, which are often changed around, and aim to showcase local ales.

The club features live music and evening activities throughout the week such as dominoes and bingo.

The venue is also looking to increase its appeal by offering a number of gins to go alongside its array of ales.

Mr Freeman said: “We picked up the award before in the early 2000’s but it still came as a big shock to win this now.

“We’re busy all through the week, we’re even busier during the week than weekends.

“Monday’s are a big night for us, but we have stuff on all the time.

“We’re always looking to improve, and gin is a big thing now, especially with younger crowds.”

The awards were decided on by members of East Lancashire CAMRA, who attend pubs and clubs around the county to sample real ales.

They held a meeting recently where they decided on the club of the year, which saw the Sydney Street venue come out on top.

Mark Briggs, East Lancashire CAMRA member and Lancashire Telegraph beer expert said: “It is a really friendly and welcoming club.

“It has some great colourful characters who visit it.

“That what makes it so welcoming, the type of customers who attend, it’s a real social experience.

“It supports local brewers which is great, but its not just the ale, its the whole place, the way it’s run, the way the beer is kept.

“It always seems to be a very popular club and is held in high esteem.”