INN landlord Steve Dilworth who has just celebrated 30 years behind the bar has been nominated for another prize by his MP regular.

Ribble Valley Tory Nigel Evans has put him forward for the 2017/18 Parliamentary Pub Chef of the Year award.

Already Steve and his wife Christine have already seen their Swan with Two Necks hostelry in Pendleton win a string of awards in their three decades including being named the Campaign for Real Ale’s National Pub of the year in 2014.

Steven, 63, will be judged by an expert panel that will decide whether he goes through to the final stages of the award, sponsored by Nestlé Professional.

The MP, a neighbour of the pub, said: “Without the pub in our village there would be a huge void.

“ For example, recently 200 people joined Steven and his lovely wife Christine to celebrate 30 years in the same pub. The next morning villagers were there to clean up.

“It is such a great community pub with great food.”

Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the BBPA said: “With pubs serving around a billion meals each year it is important to recognise the contribution pub chefs make to the eating out experience in this country.

Mr Dilworth is famous for his pies and talking to the real ale casks in the cellar earning him the nickname ‘The Beer Whisperer’.