A HEREFORDSHIRE farmer's wife has been crowned queen of the B&B's.

Pearl Taylor's polished guest house business at Upper Newton Farmhouse, Kinnersley, won her the title AA Landlady of the Year 2000.

This is the second consecutive year that the award has been scooped by a Herefordshire farmer's wife. Last year the accolade went to Jane Connolly of Hill's Farm, Leysters.

Pearl has been in the AA Guest Accommodation Scheme for just two years and prides herself on going the extra mile to help her guests.

Memorably, she had to react quickly to the unforgettable behaviour of a South American guest who arrived on his bicycle and asked Pearl to wash his cycling attire.

He didn't have a change of clothes and turned up for breakfast the next morning in just his underpants.

He then ordered a full English breakfast as Pearl fetched a dressing gown and saved the other guests from embarrassment.

She had to prove her hostess skills during the award's rigorous selection process, which included overnight visits from an undercover judge, spoof telephone enquiries to assess her hospitality and professionalism and written tests.

"Upper Newton Farmhouse is a bustling, busy and extremely hard-working set-up with much attention to detail ensuring that the individual requirements of each guest are met. Pearl is a whirlwind of energetic activity, an exceptional person," said Albert Hampson of the AA Hotel Services.

Pearl, who is a former teacher, runs the farmhouse B&B while her husband, Jon, looks after the 280-acre farm.

She has been presented with a Caithness glass trophy and benefits from a year's free supply of gas or electricity.