A POPULAR gastropub has been shortlisted for a national award ahead of nearly 5,000 pubs.

The Bay Horse in Hurworth has beaten off stiff competition to reach the shortlist in the Best Food Offer category at the EI Group Awards for Excellence.

The pub, owned by friends Marcus Bennett and Jonathan Hall, was crowned the regional winner two weeks ago and has now been announced as one of three national finalists.

The awards aim to highlight some of EI' most innovative and successful publicans, and with over 5,000 pubs in their organisation the pair said it was a testiment to the team at the Bay Horse that they have won their division.

The Bay Horse and two other finalists have now been invited to the Old Thorns in Liphook, Hampshire, for a gala awards ceremony on July 2nd, when the winner will be announced.

Last autumn, Mr Bennett and Mr Hall celebrated ten years of owning The Bay Horse – and they are no stranger to receiving awards, which include the infamous Michelin Bib Gourmand and Gastropub Chef of the Year.

Their pub has also featured in The Times top 50 gastropubs and The Mail on Sunday’s top 50 Sunday Lunches in the UK.

It boasts the Inspectors Choice in the Michelin Pub Guide, is a UK top scorer in the Harden’s Diner Survey, is a winner of Trip Advisor’s certificate of excellence and regularly features in dining bibles such as the Good Food Guide and the Michelin Guide.

Co-owner Mr Bennett said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for this award. Enterprise Inns is a massive organisation, so this nomination is a great acknowledgement to the team of all the hard work they put in over the years.”

With menus ranging from prix fixe lunches to wine tasting dinners there is something to suit every budget at The Bay Horse, making it a great location for both special occasions and impromptu meals out. The pub’s menus are comprised mostly of classic dishes, given a modern twist and with the kitchen continuously experimenting with new flavours and cooking methods, and using locally sourced produce, it is easy to see why it has been one of the region’s most celebrated venues in the last decade.

Mr Bennett and Mr Hall also own the continental cafe Muse and Italian restaurants Cena in Yarm and recently bought and refurbished he Devonport Hotel in Middleton One Row, near Darlington.

Chef Mr Bennett trained with the McCoys family and worked at the Cleveland Tontine and Mr Hall established nightspot Hide, in Yarm.