It's official – the votes are in, and we can now reveal the best pub in County Durham and Darlington.

After votes were cast online for a top 10, each pub landlord or owner was interviewed on what they do best and why it is that they deserve to be voted the Northern Echo's Best Pub 2024.

We then published these interviews online and in print, giving readers a chance to look at the options and have their say.

Now, the votes have been counted and we can reveal that the winner is . . . The Copper Mine in Crook.(Image: The Copper Mine)

Reacting to the news, pub owner Anne Binks said: "We are all delighted. It's done the team the world of good. Absolutely amazing.

"We have had loads of support from the customers too. They are over the moon too. 

"Getting this award makes all the hard work worthwhile because my team really do graft hard all the time.

"They work long shifts. I think if you get a pat on the back it makes it not just more satisfying but worthwhile too."(Image: Sarah Caldecott)

She added: "I think the competition is also good for the area. There is that much doom and gloom about at the minute.

"People have said it's great to have some good news for Crook.

Ms Binks paid special tribute to her late father - farmer John Binks. She said: "I am eternally grateful to my late dad who suggested that I buy The Copper Mine (formerly known as the Colliery. He was my inspiration and I thank him so much."

The Copper Mine has found a place on the region's culinary map thanks to the vision of owner Ms Binks and her dedicated staff.  Ms Binks, of Witton-le-Wear, who comes from a farming family and went into buying and selling property, had originally intended to build houses on the car park, when she bought the pub in 2015.

But, she decided instead to renovate the pub to provide a facility for the wider community and offer "nice value items at prices that people could afford".(Image: The Copper Mine)

The pub was given a makeover throughout, with an extended and new fireplaces.  Speaking earlier Mis Binks said: "We have got a great staff. People always mention them in reviews.

"Our front of house team don't just put food on the table and turn around, but have a chat with customers and give them a personal experience.  The pub is proud to offer a wide range of home-cooked food, from simple pub meals, to "dishes any restaurant would be proud to offer".(Image: Sarah Caldecott)

And of course, fabulous drinks, ranging from cask ales to individually designed copper mine cocktails.  Ms Binks said: "We are a gastro pub and do everything from burgers to your fillet steak and beef fillets.

"Our current speciality is what we call called The Stack, which is going really really well.

"We do different ones, including a tandoori chicken stack and a steak stack with either a naan or flat bread and with fries or rice.

"They are stacked right up – so it’s really a massive meal. It’s very popular." The pub has three to four chefs at any one time and is "desperately" trying to recruit another one.  She said: "We are really busy now. The pub seats from 80 to 85 people. Including the chefs, we have about 28 members of staff altogether."

The Copper Mine attracts customers from across the region, including Durham, Darlington Sunderland and Redcar.

It has a quirky interior, with the men's toilets made of beer kegs and the ladies' floor laid with copper pennies.(Image: The Copper Mine)

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for 4 months for just £4, or get 40% off an annual subscription with our latest offer. Click here.

(Image: The Copper Mine)

There are Trivial Pursuit game cards on the table for people to play with while waiting for their food.  Ms Binks remains heavily involved in the business.

Ms Binks used to work every single day, but I got cancer a few years ago and this year has had to travel frequently."  "I had to pull back a little bit, but couldn’t imagine myself staying at home. I like coming down. I enjoy the banter and like seeing people on the shifts.

"I don’t work like I did but I am very much hands on. Whatever needs doing, including washing the kitchen."