A WEST Dorset pub has won the CAMRA pub of the year award for the second time in three years.

The West Dorset branch of the Campaign for Real Ale have announced that the winner of their 2016 Pub of the Year award is The Bottle Inn, in Marshwood.

CAMRA members nominate their favourite pubs for the award, and a panel of judges visit each nominee to determine the worthy winner.

The Bottle is run by Nigel and Chrissy Blake, and this is the second time in three years that they have picked up the award after also being successful in the 2014 contest.

Landlord Nigel said: “We are absolutely delighted to win this award so soon after our last success.

“We would like to thank our customers who make it possible for us to continue selling brilliant beers and ciders.

“We are totally overwhelmed by the support we have had from the community, our customers, and West Dorset CAMRA.”

The Bottle Inn is a traditional country pub dating from the 16th Century.

It boasts an open fire, a skittle alley, and each June, it hosts the famous Nettle Eating Championship.

The pub will now go forward to be considered for CAMRA’s Regional Pub of the Year together with ten other winning pubs from other areas of Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands and parts of Wiltshire and Somerset.

The winner of the regional Pub of the Year award will then be shortlisted for the national CAMRA Pub of the Year title.

Rich Gabe, from West Dorset CAMRA group, said: “The Bottle Inn is a superb example of a thriving community pub, a deserving second time winner.

“It’s nice to see a landlord who is not afraid to showcase a diverse range of beer, often on the stronger side.”

Dave Harris, Chairman of West Dorset CAMRA, said it was a thriving pub, adding: “I’m delighted that we have the chance to spread its fame wider through our Pub of the Year competition.

“Well done to the Bottle Inn team.”

To discover more visit bottle-inn.net.