EAST Lancashire brewers Thwaites have announced their pub award winners including a pair from Hyndburn.

The White Bull and Black Dog. both in Oswaldtwistle, both took away prizes.

The White Bull at Alston near Longridge won the Best Marketing award while the 'Best Pub Fayre' was discovered at the Hare and Hounds in Todmorden.

In all 11 awards were presented with John Bull Chophouse, Wigan, hitting double top as Pub of the Year along with the prize for Best Pint.

But it was Ossie that was identified as the best town in the Blackburn-based Thwaites Brewery portfolio with tis two winning inns, delighting local Lancashire County Councillor Peter Britcliffe.

The 'Best Turnaround' award went to the White Bull while the Black Dog was given the prize for Best Community Involvement.

Cllr Britcliffe said: "This is excellent news and well deserved for Kelly and Pete at the White Bull and Emma and Colin at the Black Dog.

"I know both pubs well, my house is in between them.

"They really have worked very hard to bring new life into the two pubs and to give the community in Oswaldtwistle somewhere pleasant to go and have a drink or something to eat."

Over 60 pubs entered the Awards for Excellence from around the Thwaites estate and the winners were announced at a celebration event at Cottons Hotel and Spa, Cheshire.

Thwaites Chief Executive Officer, Rick Bailey, said: “The pub sector is extremely competitive and all our pubs work really hard to make their business a success.

“These awards always highlight the passion, quality and creativity that go into running a successful pub. The judges always have a very difficult time deciding the overall winners, which is testimony to the sheer number of inspiring people who have chosen to work with us.

“We are delighted to celebrate their success and champion the superb businesses they run.”

Other winners were: Best Pub Dining – Swan & Cemetery, Bury; Best Sky Sports Pub – Park Inn, Lancaster; Best Newcomer – Winterburn, Halifax; Best Customer Experience – Gamecock Inn, Austwick; and Best Trainer – Old Queen’s Head, Sheffield

Thwaites Director of Pubs and Brewing, Andrew Buchanan, explained why The John Bull Chophouse was chosen as pub of the year: “People know exactly what to expect when they go and they are never disappointed.

"Put simply, it’s a fantastic pub."