EIGHT local pubs and three breweries are celebrating inclusion in the country's top beer drinkers' guide.

They are among 2,500 pubs and independent breweries listed in the latest edition of the Real Ale Pub Guide 2005.

BREWERIES

Bank Top Brewery, The Pavilion, Ashworth Lane, Bolton.

Beers: Brydge Bitter, Dark Mild, Flat Cap, Gold Digger, Golden Brown, Haka, Samuel Crompton's Ale, Volunteer Bitter, Cliffhanger, Santa's Claws, Satanic Mills, Smokestack Lightnin'.

Ramsbottom Brewery, Back Square Street, Ramsbottom.

Beers: Freefall, Old Ground Mild, Rammy Mile, Tower Bitter and Provident.

Leyden Brewing Companty, The Lord Raglan, Walmersley Old Road, Nangreaves.

Beers: n/4, Coudy Marbnle, Manc hester Bitter, Ginger Marble, Uncut Amber, Lagonda IPA.

PUBS

The Hen & Chickens, Deansgate, Bolton: Traditional, but smart town centre pub with three constantly changing guest ales.

Howcroft Inn, Pool Street, Bolton: Traditional pub, home to the largest pub beer festival in the country with Timothy Taylor Landlord and a Bank Top brew always available.

The Strawbury Duck, Overshoes Road, Entwistle: 300-year-old pub next to railway station, with eight real ales available at all times.

The Pendle Witch, Warburton Place, Atherton: 100-year-old cottage pub tied to Moorhouse's, with Premier and Pendle Witch Brew always available.

The Edington Arms, Ladies Lane, Hindley: Old coaching house next to the station with Joseph Holt Mild and Bitter always available.

Dusty Miller, Crostons Road, Bury: Real local "No car park. No children" says the Guide with Moorhouse's plus one weekly changing guest beer.

The Red Lion Hotel, Ramsbottom Road, Hawkshaw: Traditional pub restaurant with Jennings Bitter and Cumberland Ale plus beers from small local breweries.

The Lord Raglan, Walmersley Old Road, Nangreaves: Victorian two-bar pub restaurant which is home of the Leyden Brewing Company with a full range of ales brewed on the premises.