A COUNTRY pub is celebrating after winning its sixth award in four years.

The Crown Inn, in the village of Manfield, North Yorkshire, has been named Yorkshire pub of the year in the Good Beer Guide 2006 - launched by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

It means the rural watering hole is one of 16 in the running for the title of national pub of the year, which will be announced in February.

Landlords Peter and Karen Hynes took over the 18th Century inn three-and-a-half years ago.

Within six months, the pub was named country pub of the year 2002 by its local Camra branch, in Darlington.

This was followed by the same award in 2003, 2004 and 2005. And earlier this year they were also named the overall pub of the year by Darlington Camra.

Yesterday, Mr Hynes said: "I am delighted for my customers and ourselves. I feel elated that we have achieved such recognition in such a short period of time.

"We have put Manfield and the Crown Inn on the map for all the right reasons."

Mick Moss, Yorkshire regional director of Camra, said: "I was impressed with the pub as soon as I walked in. It is a quiet village, but the pub is always busy.

"It is a friendly pub and my first impressions was that it stood out."

Mr Hynes thanked his customers, staff and Camra members for their support.

The Robin Hood, in Jarrow, South Tyneside, was named North-East pub of the year.

It was taken over by husband and wife team, Jess and Alison McConnell, three years ago and transformed from a dilapidated state.

The Good Beer Guide 2006 lists 80 breweries and 4,500 real-ale pubs.