A FAMILY run pub in Slimbridge has been crowned as the best country pub for the second year running.

The Tudor Arms, near the Gloucester and Sharpness canal, was awarded the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ales) country pub of the year award for the Gloucester area.

The award is given to pubs with a good range of real ales on tap, good food and atmosphere.

The 19th century pub was bought by Rita Rock and her husband over 30 years ago, but they sold it in 2000 when they planned to retire.

However, having sold the establishment Rita suddenly found herself widowed and repurchased the pub in 2003.

She now runs the Tudor Arms with her daughter Sam and fiancé Richard, who have a wedding planned in two weeks' time.

Richard, who manages the pub, said: "The key to the pub's success is having a good all round atmosphere, as well as good food and drink.

"We have lots of regular drinkers from Cam and Dursley, and also a lot of people who come from the boats off the canal. Real ale is very important - we added six new pumps this year.

"This is a real family run pub, members of my family work here and people living in the village also work here."

Alan Stephens, chairman of CAMRA Gloucester sub-branch, said: "To ale lovers its not the bar that is fundamental, it's the range and quality of the beers. Always in superb condition will be found Uley Pig's Ear, Wadworth 6X, a Wickwar beer and three others from southern brewers."