A PUB in Chipping Norton has been named the north Oxfordshire pub of the year by real ale fans.

The Chequers, in Goddard’s Lane, was one of six pubs in the area to be shortlisted and was voted the most popular by the North Oxfordshire branch of Camra (the Campaign for Real Ale).

It took the title after a vote by members who visited all the shortlisted pubs during January and February.

Landlord Jim Hopcroft said the award was the icing on the cake after the 1p cut in beer duty announced in the Budget last month.

He said: “It’s fantastic. All the staff are thrilled about it. Everyone has put a lot of effort in.

“It’s certainly something we can use as a publicity device.”