THE Talbot hotel in Ledbury has a great deal to celebrate this year, with a string of awards to hang on its venerable walls.

The sixteenth century coaching inn, in New Street, has just been named as Herefordshire's Camra's seasonal pub of the year, for this autumn.

Landlord, Andy Ward said: "The presentation took place recently when the chairman, Andrew Pearson of Herefordshire Camra, with other fellow members, made it a very special evening for Team Talbot and our company Wadworth."

John Lee, a Camra representative said: "Andy and Maria have been at The Talbot for over 21 years and have

built up an enviable reputation as being a real community pub in the town, as well as being good Camra supporters."

But the Talbot's winning ways this year do not stop with the Camra award.

In July, The Talbot received a Visit England Breakfast Award and a four star rating from the same organisation.

It has also received a Cask Marque certificate of excellence for the quality of its ales.

Tragedy struck the half-timbered pub in 2009, when an arsonist set fire to the hotel, causing extensive damage.

The damage was put right and on Tuesday this week, the Revd Howard Mayell visited the award-winning pub to re-bless it, following the fire and all the rebuilding work.

The Talbot has enjoyed a long and varied history.

It was the scene of a skirmish between Cavaliers and Roundheads, during the English Civil War, and the hotel's panelled room still shows at least one bullet mark.

The Talbot is also said to be haunted by a serving maid who died during the Civil War skirmish.