A PUB'S reputation for food continues to soar after winning an award in a respected guide.

The County, in Aycliffe Village, County Durham, has been named North-East Dining Pub of the Year in the Les Routiers guide to the country's finest pubs and inns.

It is the first time the organisation has published a guide specifically for pubs and lists 450 establishments.

The County's owner Andrew Brown said: "We knew we were in the guide but we had no idea we were going to be considered for any form of the award.

"It's come right out of the blue and we're very proud to receive it because we're in among some pretty impressive company."

The County has won several awards and has featured in a number of guides since Mr Brown took it over six years ago.

The success is even more satisfying for Mr Brown as he only got into the hospitality business nine years ago, aged 27, after being made redundant from a furniture manufacturing firm.

He was the first person to win a Raymond Blanc scholarship in 1995 and has studied with famous culinary names such as Gary Rhodes.

The pub's reputation gained a further boost when Prime Minister Tony Blair chose it to entertain French president Jaques Chirac during a crucial summit meeting two years ago.

Mr Brown said: "I find what I've achieved flabbergasting.

"I keep having to pinch myself to make me realise it's really happening. It just goes to show it's never too late to make a life-changing career decision."

Other North-East awards from Les Routiers: Inn of the Year - The Star Inn, Harome, North Yorkshire; Wine Pub of the Year - The Angel Inn, Skipton, North Yorkshire; Hosts of the Year - Christopher and Alison Davy, Rose and Crown, Romaldkirk, County Durham; Special Award - Ship Inn, Alnwick, Northumberland.