IT may not be the worst beer garden in the country but a Herefordshire pub’s eyesore seems to be coming a tourist attraction in its own right.

The beer garden at the Bateman Arms in Shobdon hit the headlines last month after the Hereford Times revealed that its licensees nominated it for a competition to find the worst in the country.

The garden was not judged too be bad enough to win the competition – but its growing notoriety has drummed up extra trade for the north Herefordshire pub.

“We have had some people come in and ask if this was the pub with one of the worst beer gardens in the country.

“They have then gone outside with their pint to have a look at it,” said landlady Diana Mahood.

Despite missing out on a £10,000 makeover by celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock, there is good news for those customers who do not find the garden to their taste.

“We are looking at having our own DIY Ground Force with our regulars some time in the next few weeks,” said Mrs Mahood.

“We will put on sausages and a keg of beer and it will be all hands on deck.” The beer garden was nominated because it possesses some unusual features, including a large pile of gravel, grass and soil which has been dubbed ‘The Mountain’.

Local children ride their bikes over it because they consider the two-peak obstacle to be a challenge.