Published at 11:14, Thursday, 13 March 2008

WORKINGTON’S Green Dragon hotel was named pub of the season by the west Cumbrian branch of Camra.

Licensee Angela Bell was recognised for “services to real beer” last week after restoring the 200-year-old coaching inn – said to be the oldest licensed premises in the town – to its former glory and reintroducing real ale.

Angela and husband Stephen took over the pub four years ago and Stephen worked to restore the dilapidated building.

Angela was keen to keep a traditional feel in the pub.

The Portland Square inn now sells Carlisle State Bitter from the Derwent brewery in Silloth and Angela said she was pleased to support a small local brewer.

Making the award of Winter Pub of the Season last Wednesday, branch chairman Stephen Walker said, “Camra members in west Cumbria recognise the extra effort that Angela and her team have put in to provide a traditional pub environment, with real beer in good condition. We congratulate them on their achievement.”

She said: “I feel privileged to receive the Pub of the Season award.

“We were just concerned to do what was right for the inn and for the customers.”

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk