TWO Monmouthshire pubs are soon to be presented with their successive annual awards from the Gwent branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

The Star Inn at Llanfihangel-tor-y-Mynydd, between Chepstow and Raglan, was named Gwent Country Pub of the Year for the second year in a row, while the Coach and Horses, Chepstow, picked up the prize for best Town Pub of the Year, for the third successive time.

Licensee of the former, John Davis, is due to be presented with the award this Friday, while Ian Meyrick at the latter will be congratulated on April 10.

Councillors Hilary Beach, Peter Farley and representatives from Brains and Bath breweries are due to be present at the Coach and Horses and will be greeted with a free pint of beer.

Mr Davis put the shine back in the Star after taking over the then-closed pub less than two years ago, restoring its former popularity by providing an imaginative range of high-quality ales and food.

Chris Gillette, chairman of CAMRA’s Gwent branch, said: “To serve top-quality ales so consistently while also providing good value, a thriving community atmosphere and a warm welcome shows the very high degree of commitment each of these pubs has to quality – and to keeping their customers happy in the process.”