The votes have been counted, the nominations verified and six pubs have been shortlisted for the coveted Wilts and Glos Standard Pub of the Year 2109 award.

Over 400 votes were received from the paper’s readers who were quick to tell us whey they loved their local.

Competition has been fierce, and it is down to the number of wonderful pubs that can be founded nestled in our pretty villages, bustling towns and tucked away down winding country lanes.

Now, readers are being invited to tell us who should win the highest accolade by voting for their favourite out of the final six pubs.

A full list of the shortlisted pubs appear at the bottom of this article, along with details of how to vote, and over the next six weeks we’ll be looking at each pub in detail.  This week we visit The Golden Cross in Cirencester.

The popular pub can be found in Black Jack Street right in the heart of the stunning little Cotswold town.

Top of the reasons why the pub was nominated was the "extremely friendly and welcoming staff" that work in the pub.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

A variety of events ensure that the popular Cirencester pub is usually packed

In fact, of the the dozens of entries that The Standard received each and every one mentions the team who work there - from there great service, to the welcoming atmosphere that they all create it certainly seems that all of their hard work has certainly not gone unnoticed!

Just a short walk from the town's historic market place the early 18th century coaching inn offers a fine selection of food and drink, and even a bed for the night for those lucky enough to be visiting the area.

Under the watchful eye of landlord Mark Lindesay and his team the pub has thrived to become the bustling back street gem that regulars love to call their local.

And it's not just the service that had our readers raving - many also mentioned the exceptional food and drink that is on offer in the pub too.

Phrases like "great variety" and "great value for money appear several times in the nominations that we received. And if the comments sent to us are anything to go by then the chef's Sunday lunch is definitely not to be missed!

But the final word for the pub that one nominator said can only be described as "a classic Cotswold coaching Inn has to be this one, which manages to say so much in just a few words: "staff are very friendly and the dogs... oh the dogs!"

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

Destiny Slater and her dachshund Priscilla with other staff from The Golden Cross in 2017

Because let's face it - a country pub just isn't a country pub without man's best friend there to welcome you in front of the open fire on a wet day now is it?

If you would like to vote for The Golden Cross Inn, or any of the other five pubs that have been nominated then you can do so by clicking on the link below.

The following rules do apply:

  • Only one vote will be accepted per email address
  • Readers can only vote for the six shortlisted pubs
  • Voting will remain open until midnight Sunday, March 24 - all votes received after that time will not be accepted
  • All six runners up will receive certificates
  • Landlords, managers and staff are also free to vote for their own pubs.

So if you know of a pub that deserves the coveted Wilts and Glos Standard Pub of the Year 2019 award to hang pride of place on the wall then get your vote in quick - we want to hear from the experts - our readers.

The pub with the most votes will be crowned Pub of the Year at the end of March, and be presented with our coveted trophy and certificate, as well as a special prize.

Shortlist for pub of the year:

The Cat & Custard Pot, Shipton Moyne

The Daneway, Sapperton

The Greyhound, Siddington

The Golden Farm, Cirencester

The Golden Cross Inn, Cirencester

The Thames Head, Tetbury Road, Cirencester

What are you waiting for? Make sure that your favourite pub is recognised as Pub of the Year 2019.

Let us know who you think should win NOW via this link