A DORSET pub has been named as the best in the country.

The New Inn in Cerne Abbas has been named Inn of the Year in the Good Pub Guide 2015. It was also awarded the county’s Dining Pub of the Year for the third time.

Landlord Jeremy Lee said he was delighted and proud that The New Inn had been selected as the nation’s best inn.

“It is all about being consistent in what we do,” he said.

“From the minute a guest picks up the phone to book a room, to the welcome they get when they arrive, the comfort of our accommodation, the food and service, to the breakfast awaiting them in the morning, we want them to enjoy the experience.”

The team in the kitchen, led by head chef Ben Streak, aims to serve high quality food to please all tastes.

“We do serve pub basics like good burgers and we are very happy to serve a sandwich and a pint, but equally we are not shy to put roast grouse, scallops or turbot on the menu,” said Jeremy.

“We use the best quality produce, sourced locally where possible, accompanied by a wide range of well-kept Palmers real ales and an extensive wine list supplied by their wine store in Bridport.”

The New Inn has 12 letting rooms, each named after a local chalk stream.

The former 16th century coaching inn, which is Grade II listed, underwent a major refurbishment in 2012 in one of the biggest single refurbishment projects ever undertaken by the Bridport-based Palmers Brewery.

Palmers’ Tenanted Trade Director Jayson Perfect said: “We are immensely proud that the New Inn at Cerne Abbas has been recognised for its excellent room offer by being named Inn of the Year. It is fantastic that it is once again the Dorset Dining Pub of the Year and our congratulations go to Jeremy and his team.”