A PUB couple have achieved a remarkable accolade in just under a year since taking over the reins at a town centre hostelry.

Sandra Wilkinson became licensee at the Grey Horse, in Consett, last September, and she and husband David quickly won over the locals with their efforts behind the bar at the town’s oldest pub, which has its own in-house microbrewery, Consett Ale Works.

The Northern Echo: The efforts of David and Sandra Wilkinson, background, with events like Sunday's annual Beer Belly Run, have earned Consett's Grey Horse the North-East Pub of the Year award Picture: STUART BOULTONThe efforts of David and Sandra Wilkinson, background, with events like Sunday's annual Beer Belly Run, have earned Consett's Grey Horse the North-East Pub of the Year award Picture: STUART BOULTON

News quickly spread and it earned the Sherburn Terrace watering hole the Town Pub of the Year title from the Durham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) earlier this year.

It was put forward for the Regional Pub of the Year against the nominations of the three other North-East Camra branches.

News emerged late last week that it has landed the regional title, putting the Grey Horse in the running for the National Pub of the Year.

The thrilled landlady said: “It’s unbelievable, given the amazing pubs we were up against.

“Even if we go no further to say we’re one of the best 16 pubs in the country is quite something.”

The Northern Echo: Michael Peacock, the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Lib Dems in North West Durham, is among the many local figures toasting The Grey Horse's success in the regional Pub of the Year awardsMichael Peacock, the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Lib Dems in North West Durham, is among the many local figures toasting The Grey Horse's success in the regional Pub of the Year awards

Thanking her regulars for their support, she added: “I can’t speak too highly of the clientele. It’s not just a normal pub, it’s like opening your front room to your friends.”

The Grey Horse’ is among four pubs now vying for Camra’s Northern/Scottish divisional title.