A POPULAR watering hole has been highly commended for the first time in the Campaign For Real Ale’s pub of the year competition.

Halstead’s White Hart Inn has won its first Camra award.

The pub is a medieval hall building, believed to date back as far as the 13th century.

The landlords pride themselves on offering “superb” real ales.

Charles Townsend, who is joint landlord with his son Hugo, said: “We are delighted – absolutely delighted.

“It was very kind of them and it’s a tremendous feeling.”

Martin Ibberson, chairman of Colchester and North East Essex Camra, said: “Pub of the Year is our flagship award and is highly valued by its winners.

“We’re very pleased with the number of members who have contributed both to the vote and by submitting beer scores throughout the year.

“Congratulations to all the pubs who have achieved an award, as ever the competition was very close and demonstrated the depth and quality of pubs in our branch area.”