A warm welcome and a range of real ale is the secret behind a Bedford pub's fifth coveted industry award.

Lesley Griffin and Royston Beer, landlords of the Wellington Arms, believe it is the bar's atmosphere and variety of 12 real ales and ciders, on tap at all times, that won the pub the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) North Bedfordshire's Pub of the Year 2008 award.

The pint pulling pair only took over the Wellington Street pub in May last year, although the 'Wellie' as it is known to local real ale lovers, has previously won the award four times since 2000 and was named East Anglia's pub of the year in 2001.

A transformation from a faded 1930's suburban beer house into an excellent pub diner has also won Bedford's White Horse an award.
The pub in Newnham Avenue has been named as CAMRA North Bedfordshire's Most Improved Pub 2008.

Judges praised Nigel and Sue Anstead, who have already won several local business awards for turning a neglected pub into a busy thriving establishment with a well deserved reputation for good food and beer in the three years they have been licensees.

Mr Anstead said: "When we took over the pub as leaseholders it presented us with plenty of opportunities to have a third real ale on tap.

"CAMRA then visited and liked our ale and suggested us for the Good Beer Guide which we have just heard we are going to be in again this year."

The pub also has the industry's Cask Mark and Beautiful Beer Award for its exceptional beers and well managed cellar.

A special Innovation Award to mark what judges called "an exceptional initiative" has also been presented to Charles Wells Pub Company for re-opening the Bedford Arms as a speciality beer house.

The Bromham Road pub was run down and in need of refurbishment before Charles Wells transformed it in May last year.

A spokeswoman for Charles Wells said: "So much has been written about the demise of the great British pub and it's important to keep that atmosphere and experience by looking at new ideas like speciality beer houses.

"To be recognised by CAMRA is just really exciting and is a seal of approval that we are moving in the right direction."