SIX East Lancashire pubs have been included in a prestigious eating-out guide.

And two inns are featured for the first time in the 2010 edition of the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs book, seen as a major honour for gastro pubs across Britain.

Among the first-time entrants are Pleasington’s Clog and Billycock, run by Ribble Valley Inns, and the Duke of York Inn, in Grindleton.

Meanwhile, the Red Pump in Bashall Eaves, the Fence Gate Inn, the Inn at Whitewell and the Three Fishes in Mitton all retain their places.

Andy Morris, operations director for Ribble Valley Inns, said getting the Clog and Billycock, which only opened a year ago, into the guide during the recession was a “fantastic success”.

The pub opened last September as a joint venture between the company and Blackburn brewery Thwaites after it had stood empty for a time.

He said: “We are very pleased to be in such a prestigious guide, although it is not unexpected because we work hard to let people know what we do.

“People enjoy the whole experience in there and it means it’s busy a lot of the time.

“Now we have got to continue those standards whether we are in the guide or not.

“It is great to get this recognition but it is not all about that.”

Bosses at Ribble Valley Inns have also seen two of their other pubs, in Burrow, near Kirkby Lonsdale, and in Broughton, near Skipton, included in this year’s guide.

East Lancashire’s contingent made up six of 12 Lancashire inns that made the Michelin book.

LANCASHIRE’S 12 PUBS INCLUDED IN THE GUIDE

The Red Pump Inn, Bashall Eaves
The Eagle and Child, Bispham Green, near Ormskirk
The Clog and Billycock, Pleasington
The Fence Gate Inn, Fence
The Bay Horse Inn, Forton, near Lancaster
Duke of York Inn, Grindleton
The Borough, Lancaster
Cartford Inn, Little Eccleston, near Preston
The Three Fishes, Mitton
The Lunesdale Arms, Tunstall, near Lancaster
The Inn at Whitewell
The Mulberry Tree, Wrightington, near Chorley