A PENRITH pub that opened less than three years ago has won a prestigious prize.

The Fell Bar Penrith, on King Street, has fought off intense competition to become Solway Camra's 2020 Pub of the Year.

The bar is run by the Fell Brewery, which is based in Flookburgh, south Cumbria - it produces a range of ales including a golden ale, a craft beer, a bitter and a Helles Lager, which is "unfiltered, and unpasteurised" and brewed "in the traditional Bavarian Helles style."

The bar got the title after a vote by Camra members - it has previously been awarded Pub of the Season for Autumn 2018 and Cider Pub of the Year in 2019.

The bar, along with a sister bar in Kendal, opened in the Summer of 2017 to showcase the brewery's beers alongside a carefully selected range of guests from all over the world.

Solway Camra were due to visit the bar on Saturday to present staff with their well-earned certificate but the Coronavirus outbreak, which has seen the closure of pubs across the country has prevented the event.

Nevertheless Tim Bloomer, head brewer and director of Fell Brewery, said he and the staff were raring to get going again when it was safe to do so.

He said: "We are absolutely delighted, it is great to be recognised by such an iconic institution as Camra.

"It is the culmination of three years of hard work - we have been slowly chipping away at this and have finally achieved."

He added: Fell Penrith has had a great year since we redeveloped our first floor, we have seen really encouraging growth off the back of that. We have gathered a really committed

and enthusiastic staff."

Alan Taylor, Camra's Penrith Area Organiser,said: "There are six cask ales on all the time split 50/50, three from the Fell Brewery and three guest ales from all over the UK and Europe.

"As you’d expect for the 2019 Solway Branch Cider Pub of the Year, there is also a range of traditional ciders.

The Cumberland Inn, Alston, came away with Spring Pub of the Season and 2020 Cider Pub of the Year awards.

According to the Camra's newsletter "When our branch members’ votes were counted, it was the overwhelming choice.