THE owner of The Three Tuns in Chepstow has paid tribute to his hard-working staff after the business was named in The Guardian's list of the 50 best UK pubs.

Giles Darby said he was "thrilled", and that the news was a complete surprise.

"The first we knew about it was when one of the locals sent us a message on Facebook," he said. "We're absolutely delighted."

In its recommendation, The Guardian noted the special view of Chepstow Castle from the pub's beer garden, but Mr Darby was most pleased that the review mentioned the "friendly bar staff".

He paid tribute to the work of pub manager Tracey Warnock, saying: "She makes it all happen".

Mr Darby and his wife have owned The Three Tuns for nearly three years.

He said the pub benefited from the "spectacular" castle views and a selection of locally-produced real ales and ciders.

In the summertime, he said, the staff erected a stage in the beer garden for live music events.

The pub's locals, he said, were "all made up" when they heard about the pub's accolade.

"It's a really good community pub, supported by really good locals," Mr Darby said. "It's as much their pub as it is ours."