APPLETON Thorn Village Hall has once again been named one of the best clubs for real ale in the country.

It is one of four clubs to become finalists in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Club of the Year Awards, one of the most well-known club awards in the UK.

The former school in Stretton Road has previously taken home the prestigious national title for its ever-changing range of seven beers from regional and micro-breweries.

It is the hub of the community with its sandstone building, comfortable bar area, pool room, garden area and bowling green.

Home-cooked food is served during Sunday lunchtimes and the function room hosts quizzes, live music and an annual beer festival in October.

A gin bar is a popular recent addition to the club’s offering to members.

Keith Spencer, Club of the Year co-ordinator said: "Congratulations to Appleton Thorn Village Hall.

"The fact that there are so many well-known faces in the competition demonstrates that these represent the very clubs in the country.

"All four clubs demonstrate a first-class commitment to real ale and dedication to the respective communities they serve, making them absolutely vital to their areas."

The CAMRA Club of the Year competition is run in conjunction with Club Mirror magazine with the aim of finding the clubs with the greatest commitment to quality real ale.

The clubs must also offer a good atmosphere and welcoming surroundings.

Clubs are nominated by CAMRA branches across the country and judged by a panel of volunteer CAMRA members throughout the year.

Appleton Thorn Village Hall will now have to wait until next year to discover if it will be named CAMRA's Club of the Year.