A PUB in West Dorset has been shortlisted as a ‘rising star to watch’ in the exclusive invitation only Trencherman’s Guide.

The Three Horseshoes Inn at Powerstock is run by Karl Bashford, and partner Suzie Prekopova, and is one of only two pubs in West Dorset to be included.

The Trencherman’s guide is renowned as the south west’s most prestigious and long standing restaurant and foodie hotel guide.

It began 22 years ago, where only 40 restaurants qualified, and today there are more than 150 included.

Only the very best restaurants in the South West are invited to join the guide, where members have to meet a strict criteria set out by the editorial board, chaired by Michelin-starred chef, Michael Caines, MBE.

Entrants have to attain consistently high scores in guides such as the Michelin Guide, Good Food Guide and AA Restaurant Guide.

Mr Bashford, and Miss Prekopova, who have been running the Palmers Brewery pub for five years, has steadily built up its reputation by cooking ‘good, honest, seasonal British food’.

“It’s nice to be recognised for what we do after all the years of hard work.”

“It’s all about doing simple dishes really well with locally sourced, quality ingredients and the occasional more unusual elements,” said Mr Bashford.

Jayson Perfect, Palmers’ tenanted trade director, said: ‘Karl and Suzie are right to be proud of what they have achieved at The Three Horseshoes. Great food, good beer and a warm welcome are essential in running a successful country pub and they have created exactly the right recipe.”

According to the guide, the Three Horseshoes’ menu is ‘rooted in pub classics, but everything is that extra bit special – which explains the number of awards this pub has received.

‘Food is deliciously cooked, creatively presented and often uses foraged produce and fruit and vegetables from the garden’.

The Three Horseshoes was selected for the quality of its traditional menu, which has already been recognised by the Michelin Guide: Eating Out In Pubs and has been awarded a rosette in the AA Restaurant Guide.