TWO top pubs are sharing the East Dorset Pub of the Year crown.

The Lambs Green Inn, at Corfe Mullen, and The Kings Arms in Wareham saw off competition from nearly 300 pubs to clinch the joint title.

Lambs Green landlord Ian Wilson picked up a wooden plaque for the Campaign for Real Ale prize.

East Dorset CAMRA chairman Andy Brown, who made the presentation based on members’ votes, said: “It’s not unique for a joint winner, but it doesn’t happen very often. We could have had a run-off, but we thought they’d both done really well so deserved to share.”

Mr Wilson is leaving the Lambs Green after six years.

“He has improved it enormously,” Mr Brown said. “The quality of the beer is very good as is the range. He’s brought the pub around. You wouldn’t recognise it.”

Ale sales at The Kings Arms are booming, he added, and it now has four pumps.

“It’s nice to hear some good news about pubs,”he said. “The enthusiasm of a landlord and landlady, who knows how to run a pub properly, can make a real difference. These two do a very good job and the food is also excellent.”