AN award-winning East Lancashire pub has yet again been shortlisted for a national accolade.

The Swan with Two Necks in Pendleton won CAMRA’s Pub of the Year competition back in 2014 and came runner up in the same competition in 2017.

This year they have once again been shortlisted by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and will battle it out with another 16 rivals, before the winner is crowned in the new year.

Landlord Steve Dilworth, who has run the pub with wife Christine for 32 years, said: “It’s the fourth time we’ve been shortlisted out of four attempts.

“I just love the products we sell. The brewers put a lot of effort into making really good beers so it’s important to know how to look after them and look after them well.

"The fact we’ve been shortlisted again is testament to them, us and our staff, who are just brilliant.

“We’ve won Lancashire pub of the year four times too, which means we are on a par with Taps in Lytham, which I’m pretty pleased about.

“Judging by the number of comments we’ve had on social media too, the news has definitely been received well.”

Mr Dilworth said that last time they won the award, the pub was fully booked for months.

He said: “From that day forward, every time we opened the front door we were full, so it was really good for business, although we do try to keep that traditional pub vibe going, so we enjoyed the reprieve once it died down a bit.”

Recently renovated, the traditional pub boasts five changing ales and one real cider, as well as home-cooked food.

There is outdoor seating as well as open fires for the winter months.

Mr Dilworth added: “My wife has had to put up with me reading books and papers on real ale and cluttering the place up, but you’ve got to be committed and show care for the beer, making sure it’s clean, just like you do with any food product.

“Hopefully come October, we’ll have made it to the last four, so watch this space.”