THE bar at a dog track has the toast of real ale enthusiasts.

Pelaw Grange Greyhound Stadium at Birtley has been given the club of the year award by the Durham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

The bar began stocking cask beers, including brews by regional producers such as Black Sheep and Mordue.

Campaign for Real Ale members decided the bar was a worthy winner. "It is a little bit different. We haven't had a great number of clubs we could consider in recent years," said branch chairman Ken Weaver.

"It is usually open during race meetings and can have up to three real ales a week. They get a lot of guests and don't have any permanent ones in.

"The beer is well kept," he said. "I think it is very unusual for a greyhound stadium to serve real ale.

"The branch thought it would be good for everyone that we give them a boost and recognise their achievements."

Mr Weaver added that the stadium was pipped at the post for the campaign's regional club award by Darlington Snooker Club.

"Our club category is for any organisation outside the normal pub trade that commits itself to cask ale."

The track was presented with a certificate as was the winner of the pub award, The Beamish Mary Inn at No Place, near Durham. The pub has been a favourite of real ale drinkers for many years and previously won the award five years ago. In 1994 it was the group's national pub of the year.

Certificates were also presented to runners-up The Grey Horse at Consett, The Ship, High Hesleden, The Victoria and The Woodman Inn, both Durham, and The Daleside Arms, Croxdale.

"Voting was very close. Any one of the six could have been the winner," said Mr Weaver.