A DORCHESTER club has been tipped for a top prize for supporting real ales and South West producers.

The Colliton Club, opposite County Hall in the county town, is one of four finalists in the National Club of the Year competition run by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The news comes after the Colliton Club was announced as the Wessex Regional Club of the Year for the sixth time in ten years.

The club went up against others from Dartford, Cheltenham and Dudley to get through to the finals.

The judges praised staff for their swift service, even in busy times, welcoming atmosphere and good selection of real ales.

Regional CAMRA Organiser of the Club and Pub of the Year competitions Michel Hooper-Immins said he would be delighted if the club won.

He said: “I hope they do well. It’s remarkable they have got this far. They are a very good club, very superior and the service is fantastic.

“I think they have got a good chance of winning and I’ll be delighted if they do.”

The Colliton Club has won the title of Regional Club of the Year in 2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2010 and now in 2011. It was found to be the best club in the area including the counties of Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands and parts of Surrey, Wiltshire and Somerset.

Colliton Club Chairman Ian Morton said he was absolutely delighted.

He said: “It’s marvellous that we’ve won the regional title for the sixth time and are in the national finals. I sincerely commend Steward Neil Gatehouse and his staff on their excellent work.

“I thank CAMRA for recognising the excellence of our club.”

Colliton Club steward Neil Gatehouse said the club was proud to serve real ales and would continue to do so.

“I was astounded, but ecstatic, to hear the Colliton Club have made it into the top four clubs in the UK.”

“It is wonderful to be recognised on a national level and I’m really chuffed to be named as one of the top four clubs in the whole country.

“We will go on serving real ales not usually found in this part of the UK.”