With just two weeks remaining in the Wilts and Glos Standard Pub of the Year competition voting has reached a ferocious level, with thousands of people clamouring to ensure that their favourite local wins.

Votes are pouring in for the pubs with the warmest welcome, the best food and the finest ales, and it’s set to be closer than ever.

A full list of the shortlisted pubs appears at the bottom of this article, along with details of how to vote, and over the six weeks we have been looking at each pub in detail.

This week we visit the Thames Head Inn near Cirencester.

Situated on the busy A429 Tetbury Road, the pub serves food in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, with a large, well stocked central bar surrounded by various nooks and crannies, open fires, extensive landscaped gardens and ample car parking.

The Thames Head Inn’s customers are often made up of residents, business people and walkers.

Described as ‘a unique Gloucestershire pub’ on the pub website, visitors to the pub can enjoy a drink and a bite to eat in a traditional, comfortable environment and are welcome to dine outside - weather permitting, in the bar or in the restaurant.

It is not the first time the pub has been recognised by customers.

The Thames Head was previously nominated for The Standard’s Pub of the Year award in 2015, with visitors labelling the food on offer a big hit.

“They offer great customer service, they are very friendly and it’s the personal touches that really make a difference,” one very contented customer told us.

A wide selection of fine wines and Arkells Brewery ales are on offer for guests.

“They do a good Guinness and a lovely pint of Wiltshire Gold,” one reader said.

“The people who run the pub are very friendly, welcoming and willing to help out.”

And it’s not just the good company, good ales and fine welcome that people were keen to tell The Standard about.

“The food is delicious, with plenty on offer at a great value.” said a evangelical diner.

Another evangelical diner said: “The food is tasty, it is well presented and it is reasonably priced.

Visitors are able to enjoy traditional favourites like bubble and squeak and Bangers and Mash.

When described how the pub looks inside and out one reader said: “Inside it warm and cosy and outside it offers a lovely area to enjoy in the summer.”

It’s the personal touches and the good traditional food of a fantastic pub that has seen the Thames Head Inn near Cirencester beat off stiff competition to join the other five pubs in the final.

To vote for your favourite then visit the Wilts and Glos Standard website, but be quick because voting closes soon!

Voting instructions can be found in full there but the following rules 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.

The pub with the most votes will be crowned Pub of the Year at the end of March.

The winners will be presented with our coveted trophy and certificate, as well as our special prize, a luxurious weekend for two at the historic Brocket Hall Estate in Hertfordshire.

The two-night break for two in Melbourne Lodge will include breakfast, dinner, a round of golf, and a personal tour of one of England’s finest stately homes.

Vote for your favourite pub here: bit.ly/2u5UAsX