Express & Star's Most Popular Pub of the Year for Dudley announced

The Old Bull's Head Inn, Redhall Rd, Lower Gornal, was crowned the winner after fending off fierce competition - for the third year in a row.

The competition, now in its third year, saw pubs enter the search to find the most popular pubs in the Black Country and Mid Staffordshire.

Customers collected tokens in the Express and Star and placed their vote on who wins the award.

Lyndsey Bullock, landlady of The Old Bull's Head Inn, said: "I was quite overjoyed because it's our third time, so it's a triple whammy for us.

"I did not think I'd win and when we were told it was fabulous news, really amazing.

"The staff and customers are fantastic so it's good for them because they are as pleased as me."

Mrs Morris has been at the pub for three and a half years and said she 'loves it from the heart'.

She added: "I think it's the customers and I think you have got to love it. Pub work is not just a job, you have to love it from the heart which I do.

"People say to me 'how do you do it?', but I don't think I could do anything else.

"We work hard. Not just me, but the staff to keep standards up and everybody loves it.

"It's clean, they love the beer and the atmosphere so we must be doing something right."

Runners up

The New Wellington, Brettell Lane, Brierley Hill, came in second with The Island Pool, Wolverhampton Rd, Kidderminster, finishing third.

Alex Colbourne, manager at The New Wellington, said: "We're quite amazed to see how well the pub has been doing since it's been open.

"I t just keeps on getting busier and busier.

"We have quite a few people keep turning up and bringing them in for us so a big thank you for all of our customers."

Mr Colbourne, who has been manager since the pub opened last year, said 'consistency' was the key to success.

He said: "We've got a really good team here. Everybody here knows to work with everybody else and team works well with each other."

"The standard of the food and the drink is consistent across the board, really, and we get complements on Trip Advisor about our ciders and the range we have on offer."

"We''ll try harder and we'll be on top next year," Mr Colbourne added.

The Island Pool, Wolverhampton Rd, Kidderminster, claimed third place.

Deputy manager at the pub, Aaron Drew, said: "We could not have done it without our customers.

"We're pleased to place in the top three but disappointed not to be number one.

"We would like to push on and improve further and get to that spot."