A COUNTRY pub which re-opened less than a year ago has won an award for the quality of its beer.

The White Bear, at Masham, opened for business again last Christmas after a closure of about 15 months.

And its owners are now celebrating after being named Pub of the Season by the Harrogate and District branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

Pub manager Sue Thomas said: "The award came as a wonderful surprise. When you enter a competition you hope you are going to win, but in this case we had no idea the judges had been to visit us until the award was made."