A MULTI-AWARD winning pub near Berkeley has earned its biggest prize yet - even though the landlord had never pulled a pint less than two years ago. 

The Salutation Inn, in Ham, has been awarded the Campaign for Real Ale’s National Pub of the Year award.

Former business analyst Peter Tiley took over the pub with his wife Claire a year ago and the business has since gone from success to success.

After winning a long string of awards in which the pub was named best in its local branch and then best in the whole district, Mr Tiley is delighted to see the The Salutation – known locally as the Sally – top the national competition.

"For the Sally to have won National Pub of the Year is beyond our wildest dreams - we're totally shell-shocked,” he said.

“Pubs are so important to me that to have our own one recognised in this way is just amazing. We count ourselves so unbelievably lucky to have a brilliant team of staff who are so passionate and dedicated as well as a community of locals who have given so much to support and contribute towards the pub.

“It is these people that have made the pub what it is today and for that we are incredibly grateful." P

Pubs are judged by CAMRA on a variety of criteria such as atmosphere, level of service, value for money and community focus, with extra weighting given to the quality of their real ale, cider and perry.

The Sally was popular with judges due to its fantastic beer selection and welcoming, homely feel – with one judge saying: “What struck me most was the welcome – as if I was being invited into a private house as a friend”.

CAMRA director Abigail Newton says that being named the overall Pub of the Year is a massive achievement for any landlord.

She said: “What Peter and Claire have done in the short time they have been running the pub is nothing short of staggering and goes to show that passion, enthusiasm, and a real love of beer are hugely important when running a pub.

“They have hit the ground running and taken what was already a great pub and made it truly exceptional – beating off over 50,000 other landlords from across the UK.”

The three other finalists are, in alphabetical order, The Freshfield in Formby (Merseyside), The Harewood Arms in Broadbottom (Greater Manchester) and The Windmill in Sevenoaks Weald (Kent).

The presentation of the National Pub of the Year award will take place at the pub this afternoon at 1pm.