TWO West Somerset pubs are the toast of the UK after being named national winners in a listings guide regarded as a bible for Britain's pub-lovers.

The Royal Oak in Luxborough scooped the Inn of the Year title in the 2012 edition of the Good Pub Guide, published yesterday (Thursday), while Woods in Dulverton was named Wine Pub of the Year - for the third year running.

Owner Paddy Groves, who created Woods just over seven years ago, has enjoyed previous success in the guide, clinching awards on at least four occasions.

But he admitted that he was "extremely surprised but absolutely delighted" to win the latest accolade.

"I certainly didn't expect to win this award three times in a row," he said.

"It's a real eye opener that people are prepared to take the trouble to make comments about Woods.

"Obviously we do what we do for the customer but when you win awards as well, it's just the icing on the cake."

Good Pub Guide joint editor Fiona Stapley describes Woods as standing out for the range and quality of its wines and also highlights the enthusiasm of its helpful and extremely knowledgeable landlord - Paddy - and his "exceptional additional unlisted collection of several hundred well aged New World wines."

Woods' total list of wines runs into the hundreds - about 400 currently. And Paddy has just completed a brand new list of 150 new wines.

"Customers are always looking for good value but they also want a bit of an experience and hopefully we provide that," he said.

"But they might also want a bit of help - you have to be able to explain what you are selling."

And indulging his passion is something Paddy describes as "good fun for me and the customer."

However, he pays tribute to his ten-strong staff and their part in the success: "You can't be there all the time and you can't do it on your own," he said.

And Royal Oak licensee James Waller was equally full of praise for the 18 employees who have helped steer his pub into the limelight.

In the words of the Good Pub Guide: "There is something about the atmosphere which makes this Exmoor-edge inn a real favourite with everyone who stays there."

James, who left a demanding job in the world of finance to buy the pub nine years ago, said 99 out of 100 comments from customers highlighted its friendly staff.

"They certainly give the impression they enjoy working here, so I hope they do," he said.

"I'm chuffed to pieces to have won this award and the certificate is already hanging on the wall.

"I'm just really pleased for the staff."

Long standing manager Anita Kyte, head chef Tim Sandy and second chef David Sylvester are credited with helping the Royal Oak secure the accolade.

The pub has scooped silver Taste of the West awards in recent years and actually won the Good Pub Guide Inn of the Year title in 2002, shortly before James took it over.

It now has 11 letting rooms and a well deserved reputation for its food.

"We like to think we offer good food and comfortable accommodation in an informal setting.

"We're not posh but we have the informality of a pub atmosphere with restaurant food and accommodation that is a notch above."

Photos: Steve Guscott