IT was an unbelievably close race but The Royal Oak in Tetbury has clinched the Standard’s coveted Pub of the Year title.

In the competition launched in August, readers were asked to nominate their favourite pub, with 16 establishments being put forward across the district.

The five with the most nominations were then shortlisted as finalists, which attracted hundreds more votes and it was the Royal Oak which eventually emerged victorious, pipping second placed The Golden Cross Inn, Cirencester, by a mere three votes.

As well as receiving a trophy, The Royal Oak staff will spend a day at the Houses of Parliament with Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and serve their own local beer at the bar.

Joint-owner of the pub Kate Lewis said everyone was delighted to have won.

She said: “We are very proud and happy that so many customers supported us and we are very grateful to the community in Tetbury.

"We were quite shocked to get to the last five; we felt we were in great company.”

The Royal Oak has chosen to offer its vegan and wheat-free pale ale Asparagasm at the Houses of Parliament and hopes it will go down well with politicians of all parties.

The drink is sold at Kate’s other business in Nailsworth, a vegetarian and vegan restaurant, which shares the same name as the ale.

“I hope to integrate all parties in celebration of this great beer,” Kate said.

The Royal Oak boasts a selection of ales and a menu that can be enjoyed in its bar and restaurant.

One of its iconic dishes is The Workers Pot – a selection of stews from around the globe and its beer garden is home to a 1962 airstream trailer which has been converted into a food van.