A FORMER policeman who decided to start a new career as a landlord has had his pub nominated for an award.

Jeff Hunt has been running the Black Horse, in Low Willington, near Crook, with his wife, Cathy, for eight months.

It was their first attempt at running a pub, so they were surprised when they were told they had been awarded the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) Pub of the Year prize for the Wear Valley district.

The pub has built up a reputation for its range of traditional guest ales.

Mrs Hunt said: "We didn't even know that we had been entered for the award. One of our customers had nominated the pub and a judge then paid an anonymous visit to sample the ale and the atmosphere of the pub.

"We only found out about all this when a Camra representative came in and told us we'd won the award."