THE CAMPAIGN for Real Ale (CAMRA) has named Flixton Conservative Club one of the top four clubs in the country.

The decision came on Sunday December 3 in CAMRA’s Club of the Year awards, one of the most respected and well-known club awards in the UK.

It follows an award earlier this year when CAMRA named Flixton the top Club in Greater Manchester.

Explaining the reasons for the Flixton club’s success, Graham Donning, CAMRA Regional Director for Greater Manchester said: “The commitment to promoting real ales at this suburban club has seen it be named local branch club of the year for five consecutive years.

“Six hand pumps on its main bar rotate through an ever-changing selection of ales with local breweries dominating. Five more pumps in the upstairs function room are used for monthly brewery nights with a local brewer invited to showcase five of their ales to the clubs guests.”

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.

Candidates for the award have to offer a great atmosphere, welcoming surroundings and most importantly, top quality real ale served in prime condition. Clubs are nominated by CAMRA branches across the country and judged by a panel of volunteer CAMRA members throughout the year.

Other finalists in the competition include the Appleton Thorn Village Hall in Warrington, the Albatross Club, Royal Air Force Assiciation (RAFA) in Bexhill-on-Sea and the Real Ale Farm (RAFA) in Wales.

Keith Spencer, Club of the Year Co-ordinator said: “All four clubs demonstrate a first-class commitment to real ale and a dedication to the respective communities they each serve, making them all absolutely vital to their local areas.”

The four finalists were presented with a commemorative plate at the Club Mirror Awards. In Spring next year they will discover which one of them will be named CAMRA's Club of the Year.