A WEST Country pub which is an accredited member of the Campaign for Real Food has been highly commended in the Catering Pub of the Year awards.

The Toll Gate Inn, in Holt near Trowbridge, Wiltshire, was pipped at the post by the Hampshire Arms, Farnham, Surrey, in the Publican Awards 2002.

In the category Catering Pub of the Year (sponsored by DiverseyLever), the Hampshire Arms won the top accolade of first prize.

Highly commended in the same category was the Toll Gate Inn, confirming that Campaign for Real Food establishments really are a cut above! All accredited members of the Campaign for Real Food are recognised for their commitment to buying locally produced food and to cooking using only top quality, fresh ingredients.

Founder of the Campaign, Tom Finlay, said: "I am delighted that Campaign members are being recognised in this way. I personally visit each of our accredited establishments, and I'm proud that all their continued hard work, commitment and passion for real food, has paid off."

Paul Morgan, chef-patron of the Hampshire Arms, said: "We are thrilled to have won Catering Pub of the Year 2002 and congratulations must go to our whole team. We work incredibly hard to give our customers a real food experience - not bought-in food masquerading as real. Our ingredients are sourced locally to give a real flavour of the region and this award recognises all the effort we put into each and every meal."

Other Campaign members who have won awards this year include founder members The Windmill, Mayfair, which won "Traditional English Food Pub of the Year"in the Pub Food Awards 2002, The Queen's Head, Bramfield, Suffolk, which was awarded "Suffolk Dining Pub of the Year" in the Good Pub Guide and Ritchers Restaurant in Wells, Somerset.