A DULVERTON pub has notched up a double accolade in a publication seen as the pub-goers' bible.

Woods has not only been named as national wine pub of the year for the fourth year running but has also secured a place as one of the top ten pubs in the country.

Both awards in The Good Pub Guide 2014 were announced yesterday (Thursday).

And licensee Paddy Groves, who with his partner Sally Harvey created Woods from a former bakery nine years ago, said he was absolutely delighted.

The guide, which is published annually, described Mr Groves as "really rewarding to talk to about his wine".

It went on to say: "He will open any of his 400 listed bottles for just a glass and he may even tempt you to one of his unlisted collection of 500 well aged New World wines."

The guide lists Woods as a smartly informal place with exceptional wines, real ales, first-rate food and a good mix of customers.

And its place in the top ten - achieved for the first time - recognises it as being amongst an elite number of pubs "absolutely at the top of their game".

Mr Groves put his success down to a combination of factors.

"Times are hard and we are in a recession," he said.

"But when people do make the effort to go out, they are seeking quality and that's what we strive to provide.

"I've got a farm just above Dulverton which provides the lamb, pork and much of the poultry for the restaurant - people care about quality."

But Mr Groves also paid tribute to his team of staff and his partner Sally.

"No award could be won without them - it is a joint effort."

Fiona Stapley, the guide's joint editor, said the awards were made with the help of feedback from thousands of loyal readers.

"They keep us in tune with how a pub is doing and we take their comments into serious consideration when choosing an award-winning pub," she said.

"With regular feedback from 2,000 loyal and eagle-eyed correspondents who look for real warmth and quality of service it is the pub-goers recommendations, backed up by editor inspections, that determine who's in and who's out year on year."

Photo: Steve Guscott