Staffordshire pub crowned Most Popular Pub of the Year

The Five Ways Inn, Heath Hayes, Cannock, claimed the title for the second year after staving off fierce competition.

Lisa Wilson, owner of The Five Ways Inn, said: "It's great because we won it last year.

"I'm very pleased and I feel very humbled by it. We've only been here for two years so to win it two years on the trot is amazing."

Mrs Wilson said her secret to success was 'good beer'.

She added: "Good beer is our secret, along with a nice atmosphere, being very friendly and a good Sunday lunch."

Mrs Wilson said she had worked in the industry for 'many many years', adding her husband should receive the award.

She said: "My husband, John, works mainly front of house and he loves interaction with the customers, so the award should really be for him.

"It's already there in pride of place next to last year's award.

"It's fantastic."

John Wilson, who runs the pub with his wife, said: "It's nice to win it again and it's down to a lot of hard work.

"Thanks to everybody that has voted for us, it's wonderful.

"We have a chat with people who come in, have a laugh and it's a good atmosphere. Everybody who comes in here are sound as a pound."

Runners up

The Star Inn, Market Place, Penkridge, finished runner-up in the competition.

Alison Heath, licensee at the pub, said: "It's really, really good considering it's our first year.

"It's good news for the village, the business and for the whole community.

"When we came in July (last year), we had a big refurbishment, a big over haul of the pub itself and introduced wine by the glass and gin lists and made it into a more welcoming pub for all age groups, females and males.

"I think it's down to happy staff and happy customers. If you have good, happy staff you've got happy customers.

"A bit of both, customers and staff."

Ms Heath said her parents had been involved in the pub trade for several years.

She added: "My mom was a licensee in Birmingham when she was 18 and my Dad used to be a Brass Brewery area manager, so I really had no choice.

"They're coming to retirement age now and so I've helped them with the social media side and they've helped me with the general running of the pub – old fashioned values."

Ms Heath added she would try to make 'small improvements' to try and take the title next year.

The Hen House, Eskrett Street, Hednesford, came third in the competition.

Allan Condon, owner of the pub, said: "It's a really good achievement as far as I'm concerned.

"Without a shadow of a doubt.

"Considering other businesses, to place in the top three it's really good. It's a testimony to the staff and to the customers of the business.

"We do a lot of training with the staff and we tend to cater to all the customers needs and try to get them what they want – as long as they're happy they will come back."