TRADITIONAL food and good wines has led a Northern pub to be named the best in England and Wales.

Licensee Michael Ibbotson said he was thrilled that The Durham Ox, at Crayke, near York, was named the AA's Pub of the Year.

The Ibbotson family, who bought the pub for £500,000 in 1999, won the accolade in the AA Hospitality Awards.

Mr Ibbotson said: "This award proves that pubs can be food-driven, have good wine lists, proper kitchens and professional service, without losing their traditions. We wanted to be a pub with good food, as opposed to a restaurant with a bar, so we produce simple dishes, using local produce and the best ingredients.

"At the same time, we offer somewhere where you can just as easily order a glass of champagne as a pint of beer.

"While we have significantly enhanced the dining experience, we have also managed to retain the support of local drinkers."

Mr Ibbotson collected the award at a ceremony in London this week.

The pub, which is named after a huge 19th Century beast that toured the country winning prizes, has been renovated since the family took over.

The pub is listed in the Campaign for Real Ale Guide and stocks a wide variety of wines and beers.

The awards have 20 categories, including Hotel of the Year, Pub of the Year and Chef's Chef Award.

Peter Birnie, the AA's chief hotel and restaurant inspector, said: "We selected The Durham Ox as Pub of the Year because of the obvious commitment which has gone into making this pub a desirable location through its dedication to providing only the best of food, wines and beers.

"The proper pub food, including traditional dishes such as Welsh rarebit and braised lamb shank, is a refreshing move away from new gastro cuisine which, alongside the beautiful bedrooms, ample venue space and delightful garden, prove this to be a pub of extremely high standards."