A PORLOCK pub has won a top accolade for the quality of its ales from an organisation whose members are true enthusiasts.

The Top Ship has scooped the title of Best Camra - Campaign for Real Ale - Somerset pub of the season.

And having got the winter title under its belt, it will now go into the running with the three other recipients of the seasonal awards, along with two runners-up, for the pub of the year.

Caroline Connor, who has owned the Top Ship with her husband Royston for the past seven years, said she was delighted with the success.

"It is nice to get recognition for maintaining good quality ale and ciders, especially being based in a small village like Porlock," she said.

"We are a free house so this gives us such a range of West Country beers and ciders to choose from."

The pub currently holds real ales from St Austell, Exmoor Ales, Clearwater Brewery, Otter and Quantock.

"We prefer to hold beers from local breweries than to use national ones as we want people to come down to the South West for a reason," said Caroline.

The Connors also lease the 'Bottom Ship' at Porlock Weir where an annual beer festival is held in July, selling more than 50 real ales and ciders against a backdrop of live music.

Around 15 members of Camra travelled to Porlockfor the presentation of the award and to test out some of the ales on offer.

Photo: Steve Guscott