A PUB which opened on the site of a former Hereford launderette has cleaned up at an industry awards bash.

Beer in Hand on Eign Street was named Herefordshire CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ales) Pub of the Year for 2014.

The watering hole became the county's first micro-pub when it first opened its doors towards the end of 2013.

“We are delighted with the support we’ve received from our customers since opening the pub two years ago, and we thank the CAMRA members for this award," said the pub's co-owner, Mitchell Evans.

A feature of the pub which impressed CAMRA judges was its large enclosed chilled racking unit behind the bar holding 20 beer barrels that serve about a dozen different ales.

A range of draught ciders and perries - the largest in the county according to CAMRA - are also stocked.

“The Beer in Hand is a very welcome newcomer to the Hereford pub scene," said Simon Crowther, the Herefordshire CAMRA's chairman.

"It gives Hereford’s beer drinkers a chance to try the number of beers from small brewers they would normally only see at a full-blown beer festival.

"And for visitors to the city it can only be considered a stellar showcase of local Herefordshire ciders and perries.

“Who would’ve thought a converted launderette could make a pub, let alone an award-winning one."

Runner-up and voted Best Country Pub of the Year was the Bridge Inn at Kentchurch, a 400-year-old ex-mill run by Nick and Andi Philips.

Other finalists were the Green Dragon Inn in Bishops Frome, the Barrels in Hereford and the Cross Keys at Withington.

Last year’s Pub of the Year was the Prince of Wales in Ledbury.