THERE must be something in the water, or the beer, at one Cirencester pub after it was presented with a coveted Pub of the Year award.

The Marlborough Arms, in Cirencester’s Sheep Street, was voted as the best pub in the GL7 and GL8 postcode areas, which covers the Cotswolds and South Gloucestershire, by the Campaign for Real Ales (Camra).

Landlord Giles Darby, who took over the running of the pub last April, told the Standard the award was the result of a lot of hard work.

“When we bought the pub almost a year ago, it was in a really different state. We’ve worked really hard to change people’s perception of the pub,” he said.

“It’s got a great reputation now and we are just delighted that Cirencester people love to come and have a drink here.”

The pub was given the award by Camra, a group set up to celebrate what is best about real ale and old fashioned community pubs.

Giles said that the Marlborough has become known throughout the town for its extensive stock of ales.

He said: “Most pubs serve three ales but we have eight. The fact we’ve been able to keep eight ales successfully is a testament to the fact there are lots of lovers of real in Cirencester.”

The pub held a celebrated the award with a party, attended by Camra officials and its locals, on Tuesday, February 25.

For more information, visit www.camra.org.uk.