AN award-winning 18th Century coaching inn has collected another title.

The Rose and Crown, in Romaldirk, County Durham, is Les Routiers National Hosts of the Year 2003 and North- East Hosts of the Year.

The newly-published Les Routiers Guide 2004 describes the Rose and Crown as an exemplary Teesdale retreat where the owners, Christopher and Alison Davy, have shown "tireless enthusiasm and dedication to providing high standards of hospitality, service and cooking creating one of the finest all-round inns in the country".

Mr Davy said: "We are thrilled that the Rose and Crown has received national recognition for its service and hospitality, but it would not have been possible without the commitment and hard work put in by manager Nicola Wearmouth and our wonderful team over the past few years." The ivy-clad hotel has been awarded two AA rosettes for its cuisine, and specialises in using local ingredients using game from nearby moors, fish from the east coast and lamb and beef from Teesdale farms.

The Rose and Crown was recently selected as a Glorious Gastropub in the 2004 edition of The Which Guide to Good Hotels and, in October, received a Blue Ribbon award from the RAC.

In October last year, the hotel was named English Pub of the Year by the AA and Inn of the Year by the Good Hotel Guide for 2003.