A PUB is celebrating after beating off competition from all over the country to take a top award for its staff.

The Mill, on Springfield in Stokesley, has beaten 1,100 other pubs to win the Best Bar Staff Award in a national event run by Heineken owned Star Pubs and Bars.

Licensee Alex Cook received the award on behalf of the Mill’s 29 staff at a gala celebration night in Liverpool from celebrity chef Simon Rimmer.

The award marked a hat trick of awards for Alex and his business partner Simon Monaghan - who won Best Newcomer and Best Pub Partnership in the North and Scotland in the Great British Pub Awards in August this year.

The judges noted how the staff worked together as a team to deliver speedy, attentive service and yet provided a fun environment.

They were also impressed by their willingness to go the extra mile, with kitchen staff helping behind the bar and bar staff helping in the kitchen to get the job done.

Star Pubs and Bars trading director Chris Jowsey said: “The pub’s motto is ‘Team Mill’ and it says it all with all the staff committed to ensuring customers enjoy themselves.”

Alex added: “This is a fantastic acknowledgement of the Mill’s staff. They are incredibly hardworking and loyal.”