FOUR-LEGGED regulars at a Warrington pub must currently be going barking mad with excitement after it was revealed it is currently topping the north west leaderboard for dog-friendly pubs.

Launched by Rover.com, the annual Dog-friendly Pub Awards is currently at the half way stage.

The awards hope to encourage pubs across the country to welcome four legs as well as two as well as showing some appreciation of existing dog-friendly establishments.

At this moment The Maltings in Warrington is currently topping the local table, mounting a serious challenge for the title of being north west's most dog-friendly pub.

Simon Le Grice from Rover said: “This is a critical point in the competition for the nominated pubs. These leaderboards could still dramatically change in the last few weeks of the competition.

“If you can’t see your local on there, or you think it should be at the top of the leaderboard, get voting to help it climb up the table.

"Every vote counts as right now, it’s anyone’s game.”

The Maltings organises regular weekend dog walks as well as a 'dog of the week' competition for anyone who 'checks-in' to the pub on Facebook with a picture of their pet pooch.

Lisa Hens, Senior Scientific Officer at the RSPCA, who is one of the judges of the Rover Dog-friendly Pub Awards added: “It’s great to see establishments considering the needs of the dogs that might visit them and the Dog-friendly Pub Awards is a brilliant way to recognise this.

"It is important to consider the well-being of dogs in a busy, sometimes crowded, environment such as a pub, and to ensure that all their needs are catered for while there.

"The key things that stand out for me are pubs having somewhere quiet for dogs to go if they want to chill out, providing separate water bowls for dogs who aren’t comfortable sharing, as well as making it clear on their website that dogs are welcome so owners can plan their visit."

For every vote received in the Dog-friendly Pub Awards, Rover will donate 25p to the RSPCA who rescue, rehabilitate and rehome thousands of dogs every year.

The top 10 (as it stands):

1. The Maltings (Warrington)

2. The Beer School (Bolton)

3. The Railway at Bromley Cross (Bolton)

4. The Leigh Arms (Northwich)

5. The Top Lock (Chorley)

6. The Flying Coach (Stockport)

7. The Keg & Kitchen (Cumbria)

8. The Queens Hotel (Lytham)

9. The Butlers Arms (Blackburn)

=9.The King William (Bolton)

You can vote for your favourite dog-friendly pub by clicking here

Public voting closes on Wednesday 6th November 2019. Winners will be announced Wednesday 20th November 2019.