A TAVERN described as “a proper, old-fashioned drinking pub” has been named as Marston’s Cask Ale Pub of the Year.

Staff at the King’s Head, at Hutton Rudby, near Yarm, which has four cask ales on sale, learned they had won the honour this week.

Stephanie Poole, assistant manager at the King’s Head, said word had got out among the pub’s loyal customers.

She said: “People are coming in saying, ‘we knew all along it was going to win,’ and then they joke that they’re just relieved the prices haven’t gone up with our new status.

“We’ve been here since 1865 and we’re a proper drinking pub, only selling food on Wednesdays and Fridays. We’re the kind of small, local pub that has horse brasses up, really traditional. Everyone’s overjoyed we’ve got this award.”