EVER since the first alehouse opened its doors, pubs have been places where the most important issues of the day are debated.

But while the rest of the country discusses the merits of the Iraq war or why EastEnders has gone downhill, regulars at the Charlaw Inn are only interested in one question: "Who ate all the pies, and where can we get some more?"

Landlord Gary Collin has established the region's first Pie Club and it is proving a huge hit with regulars at the pub, in Blackhouse, near Stanley, County Durham,

"It is about celebrating traditional food," he said. "We don't go in for any fancy pies - we stick to steak and kidney, mince and onion and chicken and mushroom."

Twice a week, he sets out in search of the finest the North has to offer.

So far, his quest for great gravy, mouth-watering meat and perfect pastry has taken him across County Durham and Wearside, and as far south as Northallerton, in North Yorkshire.

"It has really taken off," said Mr Collin. "They take it quite seriously. I was half-an-hour late getting back from Northallerton and when I came in, the whole pub clapped and cheered me."

The club was started after Mr Collin, 40, took over the pub with wife, Alison, in April. He told regulars about a garden party he provided food for on behalf of Virgin Atlantic, in Scarborough.

"Virgin wanted traditional country pies, so I ordered them in from Miller's, in Fencehouses," said Mr Collin.

"I told the lads I thought that Miller's were the most fantastic pies in the North-East and it started a heated argument about where the best pies come from.

"That Friday, I went and got a load from Miller's and served them for the lads. They finished up, then asked me where I was getting the pies from the next week."

Since it started in October, the Pie Club has met every Monday and Friday, 4pm to 6pm.

Pies for future meetings are recommended by members and Mr Collin serves them up with mushy peas and gravy.

To make sure his regulars' love of pastry products doesn't lead to them piling on the pounds, he is setting up a Pie Club Walking Group.

He is working with Durham County Council on a series of short scenic walks in the Stanley area that will end up back at the Charlaw Inn - in time for club meetings.

The club's December programme includes a Christmas special on December 24, with a game pie prepared by the pub's head chef, Tom Johnson, while New Year's Eve promises the delights of minted lamb pie.

"We want to revive that sense of fun in a country pub that a lot of places have lost," said Mr Collin. "This started as a daft idea, but it has been a big hit."

The club only has two rules. The first states that "You do not talk about Pie Club", a homage to the movie Fight Club - the second is that pies will only be served "when club chairman Freddy Burnside is about".