STAFF have been raising their glasses to their first award, just six months after opening their doors for the first time.

The Tithe Barn, in Friargate Street, Northallerton, has been named the winter Pub of the Season by the Richmond and North West Yorkshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

"Nowhere else in the area can offer anything like the range of beers at The Tithe Bar, and we have found them to be in consistently good condition," said Camra chairman Jo Murphy.

"The great thing about it is that we never know what beer will come on tap next month.

"Most of them are from small, local breweries - unlike the mass-produced products of the national brands, which you will not find anywhere in the The Tithe Bar.''

The bar and restaurant is owned by Market Town Taverns, of Knaresborough, which also has premises in Skipton, Ilkley, Bradford and Harrogate.

The Northallerton operation replaced the Tanner Hop Bar, which became a casualty of the floods in November 2000.

"Obviously, we are delighted with the award," said managing director Ian Fozard. "It is pleasing to see our policies recognised."