Felpham's Fox runs away with two sought-after pub awards

The Fox Inn won the coveted prize of Great British Pub of the Year for the south-east, as well as winning the national award for creative outdoor area of the year for its pristinely-kept garden.

They received their awards at a glitzy ceremony at the London Hilton Hotel.

Landlady Alison Hirons said no-one had taken advantage of a celebratory drink just yet.

"Not yet '“ but I'm sure it will happen," she said.

"We did not get back until late on Friday and it has been busy over the weekend with us telling everybody, so we have not had time to celebrate just yet."

Her husband Andy Hirons said it was a shock to win.

"It is fantastic," he said. "I feel as if we have been recognised for what we have done.

"I wasn't nervous about going because I didn't think I was going to win anything. It was a bit of a shock. We didn't have to do a speech, which made it quite easy."

Mr Hirons works at the pub with his wife Alison and her daughter Amy, and Alison's parents Glyn and Maureen Newman.

Mr Hirons said the secret of running a good pub is common-sense.

"It is about looking after the customers," he said.

"We almost run it like a club where we introduce people to each other. It feels like a meeting place rather than a pub.

"We took on the pub two years ago when it already had a good reputation. It is like a country family pub '“ my wife's parents work here, and so does her daughter.

"Since we have come in, we have increased the number of real ales and wines. The pub just has a friendly atmosphere."

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