MORE than 100 East Lancashire establishments have been praised in the new Good Pub Guide, published today.

The Tempest Arms in Elslack near Earby scooped the prestigious title's pub of the year prize.

While the best dining pub in the county was named as the Highwayman near Kirkby Lonsdale, which is run by Ribble Valley Inns boss Craig Bancroft.

Lancashire is also named as one of the cheapest places in the country to buy a pint of bitter, with average prices of £2.61 well below the national average of £2.80.

The guide reports: "With good food and drink, a great atmosphere and comfortable bedrooms, the Tempest Arms at Elslack is Pub of the Year 2011. Always deservedly busy, this 18th-century stone inn is stylish but understated with plenty of pubby character.”

Editor Fiona Stapley said just one new entry from Lancashire was recorded, the Red Pump, Bashall Eaves.

And she said nationally 381 pubs were excluded from the guide.

She said: "Thousands of pubgoers contact the guide each year with praise for some pubs, but condemnation for others.

"What drew the line between all the great pubs in the new edition of The Good Pub Guide and those not included was plain and simple; bad service."