A ROSS-on-Wye pub is toasting its success after being named as the best food pub of the year.

The Mill Race, in Walford, scooped the prestigious honour at The Publican Awards, which recognises the very best pubs, pub companies and brewers in the country.

The pub has regularly changed its menus and uses suppliers within a 20-mile radius, including its own farm less than two miles away.

Judges also praised the pub for having an annual food fair, where local producers and suppliers can take a stand to promote their produce and last month it won the green initiative pub chef award for its part in helping the environment.

Landlord Luke Freeman said: “It has been challenging to strike the balance between offering great food to diners at the same time as offering a fantastic pint of local ale to our locals, but we have achieved this and it really impressed the judges.”