STAFF at a pub in Winchester are celebrating after being awarded the title of Customer Service Pub of the Year in a national competition.

The White Swan scooped the prestigious prize at the annual Publican Awards held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel and hosted by TV comedian Jimmy Carr, on the right of the picture.

The pub, which is owned by Greene King and was managed by Iain and Stephanie Reay, beat off competition from hundreds of other establishments around the country to take first prize.

Judges said the pub in Hyde Street was everything a town centre pub should be offering customers - a home-from-home environment thanks to its warm, friendly and efficient service.

They said they were also impressed by the progress the venue has made since it was taken over by the Reays three and a half years ago, and that in offering services like interval drinks for people attending the nearby Theatre Royal they were clearly putting their customers first.