ONE of the most unusual watering holes in the country has been voted Herefordshire’s pub of the year.

The Sun Inn at Leintwardine, run for many decades by 94-year-old Flossie Lane before her death in 2009, came out top following a poll by Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) members.

The Grade II-listed inn is certainly distinctive as one of the last remaining parlour pubs in the UK.

It is now run by two regulars, Gary Seymour and Nick Davis, and still boasts beer served straight from barrels in the kitchen as it has no bar.

“We are delighted to win this award. It’s as much for Flossie as it is for us,” said Gary.

“She would have been as proud for us that we have won it. It is a fitting testament to a special pub run by a special landlady.”

Mark Haslam, from Herefordshire CAMRA, said: “The Sun Inn has a place in the history of our nation. With their improvements, Gary and Nick have now secured the long-term future of the pub but they haven’t thrown out the baby with the bathwater.”

In a busy week for The Sun, the Rector of Leintwardine and Wigmore, the Reverend Mike Catling joined the celebrations when he blessed the pub during an evening of carols sung by Clungunford choir.

Runner-up and Herefordshire Town Pub of the Year was the Barrels, which has won the top prize five times.