THE Waterwitch is toasting success after being crowned the best ale pub in the area.

CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale – has celebrated the Lancaster pub’s rich choice of beers by presenting it with its prized award for Lunesdale.

The accolade comes in the same year the canal-side drinking den secured a Wine Award for the UK from the drinks trade paper, The Morning Advertiser.

It follows a number of visits by ale-supping mystery customers from CAMRA, who gave it top marks to beat off competition from North Lancashire, South Lakeland and part of Yorkshire.

“To hold wine and ale awards at the same time must be unprecedented. I don’t know of anything like it,” says Matt Jackson, who co-owns the Waterwitch with Phil Simpson.

He adds: “I was quite staggered to hear the news, as there are plenty of good pubs in the area.” Matt attributes the Waterwitch’s success to the choice of ales on offer as well as the manner in which they are kept.

He offers eight ales at a time, including four which have taken up permanent residence.

They include rare beers such as Bryson’s, by Heysham brewer George Palmer, and others on offer from small breweries in Dent and Hawkshead.

“Most of the free houses don’t even do ales. But it is our heritage - it’s what people want,” Matt says.

“I want a decent pint when I go into a pub – not to give £3 over the bar for a bottle.” Regional winners will be announced in October with the national results being announced next year.