Cheers! Pub bosses are raising a glass to success after real ale buffs gave the venue a top award.

The Vine Inn on Lichfield Road, Wednesfield, has been praised by the Campaign for Real Ale for its wide range of real ales cleanliness, facilities and its mix of customers.

The pub has now been named Camra’s Wolverhampton city pub of the year, and also the Camra branch pub of the year, an award which also takes in South Staffordshire. Carl Willmott, aged 44, took over the running of the pub with his wife Trish, 60, who is in charge of the kitchen, just 10 months ago. Before moving to the Vine, the couple ran the Retreat Bar and Bistro at Oldswinford.

He credited the greater emphasis on food with making the Vine a bigger success.

Carl said: “We’re over the moon with the award and it’s gone down well with the regulars. It’s a very, very varied mix of people that come here, from early 20s right thorough to their mid 80s.

“We also welcome families as well because of the food.”