One-room micro-boozer named Wolverhampton's pub of the year

The diminutive Hail to the Ale in Pendeford Avenue, Claregate, beat off the challenge of almost 400 other pubs to win the coveted award from CAMRA.

But what the pub lacks in size it makes up for in other areas - with an emphasis on high quality ale and good conversation with no distractions.

It marks a second success for the pub on the back of its entry into The Good Beer Guide last year.

Hail to the Ale - which is the only Micropub Association-credited venue in the West Midlands - is run by husband-and-wife duo Gary and Angela Morton, who opened in 2013 under the guise of their own Morton Brewery.

Punters are treated to at least one Morton beer plus up to four ever-changing guest ales, a real cider and a perry - all served from behind the small six-handpull bar.

There's also locally-produced fruit wines, while the food on offer continues the home-grown theme, with pies, cheeses and scotch eggs all sourced in the local regions taking pride of place on the bar menu.

Angela, aged 51, who founded the Morton Brewery with her husband in 2007, said: "We're extremely pleased to be named pub of the year.

"We were up against 384 other pubs so to win after such a short time in business is just amazing.

"Right from when we opened we said we wanted to become pub of the year, so this is a dream come true."

One Hail to the Ale regular who believes the award is richly deserved is Labour's parliamentary candidate for Wolverhampton North East, Emma Reynolds.

She said: "I have been going to the Hail to the Ale since it opened in 2013.

"I have got to know Gary and Angela and I know how hard they have worked to make it such a tremendous success. The pub is incredibly friendly and welcoming.

"This award is recognition of their hard work and commitment to serving local real ales."