Hunt Lane Tavern is best... bar none

CHEERS . . . Brian and Angela Shuttleworth, from the Hunt Lane Tavern, celebrate their win

Licensees across the North-West raised a glass to celebrate the prestigious JW Lees Pub of the Year awards.

But there can only be one winner and this year’s top prize went to the Hunt Lane Tavern in Middleton Road, Chadderton, which beat off stiff competition from 172 other pubs.

The Cross Keys in Uppermill scooped the Cask Ale Pub of the Year prize, the Morning Star Inn, Shaw, won Food Pub of the Year and the Railway and Linnet in Middleton took home Newcomer of the Year.