A COUPLE who took over the running of the Methuen Arms in Corsham just over a year ago have claimed the title for the best pub in Wiltshire.

Abi Vince and Ashley Harlow helped reinvigorate the pub, restaurant and hotel with Liberation Group after the previous owners decided to sell up.

The pair had a shock though when they discovered that their pub had beaten dozens of others to claim the county title of the National Pub and Bar Awards.

"We didn't expect it all, not least because we didn't actually enter it ourselves," Mr Harlow said. "Someone has obviously come along to the pub and liked what they saw because now we are county winners.

"I've known the pub for 20 years and I actually worked for the previous owners Debbie and Martin Still, but the fact we took the pub on just little over a year ago and have won an award is crazy."

Mr Harlow and Ms Vince will now be invited to attend a red carpet celebration in London to find out if the Methuen Arms will become a regional or national winner.

"To win best a pub and bar award for the county is amazing because it recognised that we are not just a restaurant or just a hotel, and that we keep our locals happy," he added.Mr Harlow added.

"I am so proud of the team because that is so important to us."