THE Fence Gate Inn has won the national Freehouse of the Year Award.

The pub, in Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, scooped the accolade at The Publican Awards 2007 - the annual awards event for the licensed trade.

And this week directors Colin Wellstead and Martin Davis of award sponsors Christie and Co met the owner, Kevin Berkins, to present him with a brass plaque to mark his success.

The Fence Gate Inn is a restored late 17th Century building which Kevin bought 25 years ago and transformed into an inn with a traditional public bar, a brasserie and two function rooms.

The business has won a number of awards and specialises in local dishes.

Kevin, a former butcher, has introduced an in-house sausage factory, producing an ever-changing menu of speciality sausages.