STAFF and regulars at Chippenham’s the Three Crowns have been raising a glass and saying “cheers” after the pub received two acclaimed awards from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Officials from the North West Wiltshire branch of the group presented Pub of the Year and Cider Pub of the Year to the well-established public house last Wednesday (June 2).

Located on The Causeway, the Three Crowns was established in the early 1800s and specialises in real ales, ciders and perry.

“I’m chuffed to win both awards in the same year, I’m not aware of any other pub that has done that,” said landlord Steve Jenner, who took over the pub six years ago.

“We’ve won about seven or eight awards since I took over, basically one every year, but we weren’t allowed to win Pub of the Year last year as you can only win it two years in a row.

“This is my first pub, I used to run the bar at the Bradford on Avon Rugby Club and that’s where I got the taste.

“We’re a very traditional local’s pub with a good group of locals who support us.

“We’re in the CAMERA Good Beer Guide virtually every year since I got the pub and so we have a lot tourists coming to visit us.

“We were marked on the quality and styles of the beers and cider we put on.

“We were marked on other things as well like the ambience, value for money and the front of house welcome.”