CIDER lovers raised a glass to their local yesterday as it was named Cider Pub of The Year.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) presented the award to The Royal Oak in Wantage for its selection of ciders and perries as well as its service.

Landlord Paul Hexter has run the pub with his wife Frankie since they bought it in 1983.

Mr Hexter said: “It is marvellous. I try to source whatever I can as locally as possible.

“We are thrilled to be in the position of receiving such an award, especially at a time when the real cider industry is growing.”

The Royal Oak, primarily a real ale pub, normally stocks 15 ciders and perries, but yesterday it pushed the number up to 21 for its special guests.

The pub has won numerous Camra awards including the central and southern pub of the year in 2009.

Sarah Newson, vice chairman of Camra’s cider and perry committee, said: “The Royal Oak is not in traditional cider country, but it showcases local products as well as ciders from Devon and Somerset.

“It is a really good community pub, popular with all ages.”