Monmouthshire pub is CAMRA's Gwent Country Pub of the Year

Steve Pocock, landlord of the 17th-century coaching inn for the past nine years, said: "We have traditional home-cooked food, very good beer, and people like seeing the landlord behind the bar."

Mr Pocock said he bought his beer locally from smaller breweries, and made sure to look after it once it reached the premises.

While The Fountain Inn had already been named in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide, Mr Pocock said news of the latest award came "out of the blue".

"The first thing I knew was when I got a phone call, and they said there would be an awards ceremony," he said.

Mr Pocock arranged a quick email for all his regular customers, telling them the good news and asking them to attend the special event.

He said: "People turned up in their droves – there were about 150 people here.

"We had a free buffet and cheaper beer. A good time was had by all."

Mr Pocock said it was prestigious award, and put the win down to "hard work by myself, my wife, my son and a few staff members we've got".

The Fountain Inn, Trellech

The award comes on the heels of seven other Monmouthshire pubs being named as top ‘picks’ by inspectors for the AA’s Pub Guide 2020.

The guide covers 2,000 pubs chosen for their great beer and good food, with 550 singled out as ‘picks’.

Those in Monmouthshire to be included are: The Clytha Arms, Clytha; the Greyhound Inn, Llantrisant; the Woodlands Tavern Country Pub & Dining, Llanvair Discoed; the Inn at Penallt, Penallt; the Newbridge on Usk, Tredunnock; the Lion Inn, Trellech; and the Raglan Arms, Llandenny.