Yvonne Jack was serving top tipples today as she celebrated coming runner-up in a national competition.

The assistant manager at the White Hart pub, in Hart Road, Thundersley, was nominated bar person of the year in The Publican newspaper's ninth annual pub contest.

And the 24-year-old was delighted to be part of the Oscars of the licensing industry.

She said: "The award ceremony itself was so fantastic I didn't mind at all not winning. It was just great to be there.

"Martha Reeve of Martha and the Vandellas was there and so was one of The Supremes.

"There was champagne and everyone was really friendly."

Yvonne, of Dorothy Gardens in Thundersley, had hired a special dress for the society bash at London's Grosvenor House Hotel and she even visited Harrods beforehand to have her make-up done.

The high-flyer moved into bar work four years ago after she got tired of dealing with claims for Thomas Cook.

Yvonne said: "I was a bit fed up with my job and a friend asked me why I didn't try bar work. I decided to give it a go as a job was going in the White Hart and I have never looked back.

"You need to be able to deal with people, but it is great fun. I really enjoy it."

There were 16 titles up for grabs. Geraldine and Graham Evans, of the Barge pub in Clay Hill Road, Vange, received an award for bringing the community together.

The Anchor pub in Hockley was runner-up family pub of the year.

Pinta joy - Yvonne Jack serves another customer at the White Hart

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.