FLIXTON Conservative Club has been named CAMRA Greater Manchester Club Of The Year for the second year running.

The club, which is on the corner of Flixton Road and Chassen Road, has retained the title it first took in 2015, beating off six other private members clubs from across CAMRA Greater Manchester's branches.

The club has been named Club Of The Year by Trafford and Hulme branch for four consecutive years and after winning the regional title, the club will now go forward to be judged against 15 other regional winners for the national Club of the Year title.

Mystery shopper judges visited all the finalists over the summer, scoring each club on a range of attributes including the range and quality of beer and cider, customer service, warmth of welcome, and value for money.

Judges praised Flixton Conservative Club for the devotion of its staff, the wide range of beers on offer and the warm welcome extended to non-member visitors.

Club stewards Nigel and Sharon Porter have transformed the beer range at the club from two real ales when they arrived five years ago to six on the bar at one time and the club is reaping the benefits with membership flourishing.

Nigel said: "Feedback I get from the committee is that many new members cite the beer as their main reason for joining the club with others stating that they come here because they find it a welcoming, safe and secure place to enjoy a good beer."

One judge said: "The club is astonishing. Nigel's devotion to real ale knows no bounds. For anybody with even the slightest interest in real ale, this club is a god send."

On his and Sharon's role in the club's success, Nigel said: "It requires a bit of dedication and hard work but basically enthusiasm carries us through."

As well as a range of real ales, club members have an active snooker league, a number of bowling teams, a walking group which uses the club as a base and a popular chess club which meets once a week in the club's function room.

On the last Friday of the month, the club holds a Brewers Night with the pumps turned over to a single brewer - October will see the highly regarded Acorn brewery travel from Barnsley.