A WEST Dorset pub has been recognised as one of the county's top food venues.

The Anchor Inn at Seatown has been named as Dorset's Best Gastro Pub as this year's Dorset Food, Drink and Farming Awards.

Landlord Paul Wiscombe is pleased to add the title to his line-up of awards, including a double Taste of the West gold, four AA gold stars and a Sawday's pub with rooms award.

Mr Wiscombe said: "I am very privileged to have such a talented and enthusiastic team, whose hard work over the last two years has made this award possible.

"All of us at the Anchor continually strive to ensure that every visitor goes away with amazing memories of the food and drink, the incredible coastline and their time in west Dorset."

Head chef at The Anchor, Jean-Paul De Ronne, impressed the judges with his menus which were praised as giving "stand-alone restaurants a run for their money". Judges were also impressed by the "zealous commitment to the provenance of his ingredients".

Mr De Ronne heaped praise on west Dorset producers.

He said: "The Anchor has been both the greatest and the most enjoyable challenge in my career to-date.

"I have worked in lots of different kitchens but the Anchor really suits my style of cooking and with hundreds of artisan food producers, west Dorset is a chef’s sweet store."

The Anchor, already popular with visitors to the Jurassic Coast, has gone from strength to strength since its transformational refurbishment, carried out by owners Palmers Brewery two years ago.

Jayson Perfect, tenanted trade director at Palmer's Brewery, said: "We are all immensely proud of what Paul and his team at the Anchor have achieved and this award is thoroughly deserved.

"The pub has always been hugely popular but this award is recognition that it is now one of the go to destinations in the South West, with a reputation that extends well beyond our corner of west Dorset, drawing in visitors to the area from far and wide."