ALE lovers have raised their glasses to a Stourport pub after voting it one of the best in the country.

Members of CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale - have poured praise on the Ye Olde Crown Inn for the quality of its beers and are featuring it in their Good Beer Guide 2006.

Customers of the Bridge Street pub are offered their favourite ales along with seasonal guest beers brewed all over the country.

The versatile staff have also turned their hands to brewing in the past when they resurrected a recipe that dated back to 1786.

Manager, Scott Hutchinson, said he was delighted that CAMRA had decided to recognise the pub in the book.

The 25-year-old added: "It is always an honour to be mentioned by CAMRA and the whole team deserves credit.

"All of the management have studied on a British Institute of Inn-keeping accredited course that taught us things like cellar management and the best way to keep real ales."

A CAMRA spokesman said: "The Ye Olde Crown Inn deserves its place in the guide. It is our belief that if a licensee keeps the beers well and pours perfect pints, then everything else in the pub - including the welcome, food and other drinks - will be of a high standard."

The pub manager at Kidderminster's Loom and Shuttle is keeping his fingers crossed after being short-listed for a national award.

Andrew Dicken is hoping he will be toasting his success at a ceremony on Tuesday when he will find out if Pathfinder Pubs have awarded him the title of "Top Newcomer of the Year".

He said: "I am delighted to be nominated for this award, as I haven't been in the industry for that long. My staff are very supportive and the award would recognise our teamwork."

A village hostelry has also received commendation for the food that it serves and will feature in the Good Pub Guide 2006.

Connoisseurs voted The Crown in Hopton Wafers, near Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire Dining Pub of the Year after a "rigorous inspection".