Dales pub battling for "Yorkshire's favourite" title

The George and Dragon, in Hudswell, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, is one of 12 pubs that have made it through to the final round of the competition, which is being hosted by tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire.

The pub featured in the ITV1 documentary The Dales, which was screened earlier in the year.

Landlady Jackie Stubbs said: "We had to get people to vote for us to get us in the running and now we are asking them to please vote for us again.

"It would be lovely to have the prestige of being able to say we are Yorkshire’s favourite pub, but we are up against some really tough competition."

Staff at the pub have taken on cult celebrity status since featuring in the documentary.

Ms Stubbs said she had even signed the occasional autograph for enthusiastic customers.

She said the publicity brought by the documentary had benefited the entire Dales economy.

"We have been so busy we sometimes have to turn people away," she said. "But we point them in the direction of other pubs in the area."

The award will be decided by a public vote, which closes early next month.

Other pubs in the running include the Black Swan Inn, in York; the Durham Ox, in Crayke, near Easingwold; the One Eyed Rat, in Ripon and the Farmer’s Arms, in Muker, Upper Swaledale.

The competition has been launched to highlight the quality of pubs in Yorkshire and the top 30 will feature in a new Ale Trail leaflet being produced by Welcome to Yorkshire, for visitors.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "The response to the competition from the public has been fantastic.

"The judges found it hugely challenging getting the top 30 down to a final list for the public to vote from, as the standard was so high.

"The comments voters sent in about these were so heartfelt and full of pride."

Votes must be cast by July 6 and the winner will be announced at the Great Yorkshire Show, which starts on July 12.

To vote, visit yorkshire.com/pub