A PUB with a social conscience is celebrating after being named the UK’s best boozer.

The Eagle and Child, in Ramsbottom, has been declared the John Smith’s Great British Pub of the Year at a ceremony in London.

The popular pub beat off strong competition from outlets from across England, Scotland and Wales to take the prestigious title.

As well as being a stunning and well-run business, the Eagle and Child, run by licensee Glen Duckett, impressed judges with its commitment to be a social enterprise, a move which has seen a large number of disadvantaged young people given a fresh start in life.

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Taking on a rundown pub six years ago, Glen and his team, working with the Daniel Thwaites brewery, has created an operation that is more than just a pub.

So far, the business has given an opportunity to more than 100 young people, from young offenders to disabled youngsters, with more than 75 per cent progressing onto a career in hospitality.

Glen said: “I’m absolutely in awe. To pick up Best Partnership Pub and then Best Pub overall is just amazing. I’m totally overwhelmed.

“We won the award I was expecting to win but this has totally caught me by surprise. We really weren’t expecting it. I’m elated by what we have done and how we push young people to make themselves as employable as possible.”

Ifeoma Dozie, brand director for sponsor John Smith’s, added: “Huge congratulations to the Eagle and Child for winning the Great British Pub of the Year.

“It is a truly stunning pub – from the views, to the food, the events, the atmosphere, the beers and the staff.

“It’s all these factors together that make British pubs the best in the world, and the Eagle and Child is a worthy winner and there was incredibly stiff competition.”

The Great British Pub Awards have been running for 17 years and see pubs from across the UK compete for awards across 17 categories, with one winner going on to be selected as the overall Great British Pub of the Year.

Pubs are judged across a number of stages, with industry experts helping to whittle down the field to six finalists, followed by site visits and a final panel interview grilling to finish.