PERHAPS I should have had the ham and eggs at the Cover Bridge Inn. After all they are, according to an intriguing sign outside, "as seen on TV".

It transpired that this slightly bewildering claim to fame referred to the pub's appearance on ITV's Really Good Food programme. Not only was the place praised for its food, but the ham and eggs recommendation came from none other than Countdown's Richard Whiteley. In my book, an endorsement certainly worth noting.

The pub has been run for the past eight years by Nick and Anne Harrington, with the help of seven other full- and part-time staff. It has a rather small but attractive and traditional low-beamed bar and lounge area, and a large beer garden which extends down to the river. With a choice of eight hand-pulled beers it currently holds the title of the local Campaign for Real Ale's pub of the year.

Meals are served in the bar and lounge, and also in an additional 16-seat non-smoking restaurant room. The need for an extra room no doubt reflects the consistent popularity of the pub for meals, but it is let down by the decor which is at odds with the pleasant and cosy atmosphere of the bar and lounge.

Despite having been a feature for at least eight years, the room has a slightly thrown-together feel about it with random ornaments, a blue light on one wall and a pile of phone books and a credit card machine cluttering a table in the corner.

However, as every seat was taken, this clearly wasn't enough to deter fans of the pub.

I'd been drawn to the Cover Bridge by friend Kate Pepperrell, who promised it had the best steak pie she'd ever eaten. Seeing as she liked it so much, it seemed only fair to let her order it, while I had lasagne. Both cost £7 and came with chips or potatoes.

The steak pie did indeed live up to Kate's recommendation, with rich meat, gravy and short crust pastry. My lasagne was just as good, home-made and perfectly seasoned. Both were accompanied by large home-made chips, and served by a friendly and attentive waitress.

Main courses range from £6.75-£12.50 and include steak, a mixed grill, and an impressive range of fish and vegetarian dishes.

The portions were big enough to make us glad that we'd skipped starters, which cost £2-£5 and included soup, garlic mushrooms and butterfly king prawns.

Thankfully we felt able to tackle a pudding from the large selection. After much debate we both regretfully decided against the delicious-sounding chocolate lumpy bumpy, which is apparently a biscuit base topped with mousse and a chocolate and nut topping. Something to try next time, when I come back to sample the famous ham and eggs.

Instead Kate went for the sticky toffee pudding while I had caramel apple granny pie. We ordered them both with custard, although we had the choice of cream or ice-cream instead. Both were delicious without being overly sweet.

Other choices included treacle sponge, fruit crumble, white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake, and banoffee pie, all at £3.25. Alternatively, customers can round off the meal with cheese and biscuits at £4 and coffee at £1.50.

Mr Harrington said they prided themselves on the quality of the food, which is prepared by chefs Yvonne Raine, Jackie Marwood and Sarah Weedle. He said: "We set out to serve good pub food, reasonably priced. They are all home-made dishes and are always very popular."

The pub also has lots of parking space and is on the route of many popular country walks.

Food is served every day from noon-2pm and 6.30-9pm. There is no grilled food on Sunday lunchtimes, but roast beef and pork with Yorkshire pudding is added to the menu.