The Bridport and Lyme Regis News Pub of the Year title has been awarded to a much-loved coastal venue.

The New Inn on Mount Lane in Eype is this year’s recipient of the award, voted for by its loyal customers.

Husband and wife duo, Val and Gordon Kavanagh have now been running the New Inn in Eype for three and a half years.

Gordon said: “My wife nearly jumped out of her skin when we found out.

“It’s the first time we have ever won, and we have only been here three and a half years.”

The owners are currently working out plans to throw a big party to celebrate their well-deserved win.

Gordon said: “We are just gobsmacked that people voted for us.”

The pub is at the heart of the community and has many loyal and returning customers.

Over the May bank holiday, the venue even hosted a Coronation Celebration Day, which had a brilliant turn-out and a wonderful selection of party food.

He believes that the reason people voted for them was down to their great ‘food, atmosphere and live music.’

He added: “When we were in lockdown, we did takeaways and made lots of good friends.”

Fresh, locally sourced fish is served at the venue ‘every single day,’ whether it’s a crab ploughman's, hake steak or a monkfish wrapped in pesto and smoked bacon.

They also serve an extensive menu of home cooked food sourced from local suppliers.

“It’s a nice, friendly pub and we have a cracking team. We are just over the moon with our win, and we hope we can do it again next year.”

Val said: “We are so, so proud as a team for winning this award. It makes all the hard work we do all do worthwhile. 

The New Inn is located only five minutes away from Bridport and is a licensee of Palmers Brewery, offering a good selection of draught products and Palmers fine ale.

The dog-friendly pub boasts a stunning beer garden with views overlooking the picturesque valley and rolling hills beyond.