The landlord of a city pub is toasting his success at being named the Bradford Local Pub of the Year.

Members of the Campaign for Real Ale’s Bradford branch chose the Corn Dolly to win the title which was announced today as national Community Pubs Month gets under way.

Camra’s branches, which consist of thousands of volunteers, judge all of the pubs in their area over the Year. Hostelries are judged on their decor, value for money, customer service, appeal to different people and, of course, the quality of their real ale.

The Corn Dolly in Bolton Road will now do battle it in the regional heats before the National Pub of the Year is announced early next year.

“It’s very good, it’s always nice to win something,” said landlord Neil Dunkin.

He thinks the pub’s quality ale, nice atmosphere and friendly welcome had clinched the prize.

Camra branch chairman Colin Valentine said: “We like to announce the winners in Community Pubs Month to highlight the best pubs Britain has to offer to help raise the profile of pub-going.”

New research shows 28 pubs are closing every week across Britain and 38 per cent of British adults no longer visit pubs.

Mr Dunkin said trade varied throughout the month.

“It’s very much around payday nowadays. It’s not like it used to be. It’s all right for a few weeks, then it slows down for a bit,” he added.

Community Pubs Month aims to help raise the profile of pubs and pub-going.

The Brown Cow in Keighley was named Local Pub of the Year for the Keighley and Craven branch.