STAFF at a traditional Cotswold inn say they are "thrilled" to have won the Wilts & Glos Standard’s Pub of the Year 2019 award.

The Cat and Custard Pot Inn overcame stiff competition to take the crown, after hundreds of votes were cast, and Standard reporter Sam Krayem-Wood presented the team at the Shipton Moyne pub with the winners trophy on Monday.

“We are all absolutely thrilled,” said co-owner Richard Boggie-Rolfe. “The owners and managers here are determined to make this pub successful for both the community and the wider area.

“Julie Sprules, who was manageress, played a huge part in the success of the pub – sadly she died two weeks ago.

“The owners here have built on the progress Julie made and invested money into the pub, which now has eight ensuite bedrooms, a lovely dining area and a bar.

“This award is a wonderful recognition of that work and the fantastic team effort by everybody at the pub, and the wonderful job our manager Francois Pieters has done building this team.”

The popular pub overcame fierce competition from five other treasured locals which made the shortlist – The Daneway in Sapperton, The Greyhound in Siddington, and the Cirencester trio of The Golden Farm, The Golden Cross Inn and The Thames Head.

Nestled right in the heart of the honey-stone village of Shipton Moyne, the unusually-named Cat and Custard Pot was acquired by four local families five years ago.

They wanted to ensure that the down-to-earth pub remained the traditional inn that sits proudly on the village’s main street, and the pub’s gentle makeover and subtle upgrades – weary visitors can now stay overnight – have proven very popular.

Top of the reasons for the dozens of nominations the pub received for our award was the fantastic food.

One Standard reader who voted described the 'good old-fashioned' Sunday lunch they'd eaten in the little restaurant as ‘the best they had ever had’.

“We popped in after a long walk, and were met with such a warm welcome,” one happy customer told the paper.

The landlords at The Cat and Custard can now look forward to a two-night stay for two in the Melbourne Lodge at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire, as well as dinner at the Auberge du Lac restaurant there and a round of golf.