THE Bluebell pub in Dockenfield has been named Surrey and Hampshire’s Best Pub in the first ever Surrey and Hampshire’s Listener Choice Awards run by Eagle Radio.

A majority of listeners voted in favour of The Bluebell, which beat almost 70 other nominees to claim the honour.

The pub was initially nominated by a customer who described it as “famous for being a real community pub” (and included a special mention of its “famous chips”!).

Husband and wife Robin and Lucy Catchpole took on the previously troubled pub in 2013 and Robin said: “Having taken it from nothing to a recognised business is great.”

Key to its success, Robin added the pub benefits from a large garden creating a tranquil setting in the country for a real pub-feel with “sun all day and night.”

The Bluebell thrives on creating fresh food which is sourced locally, with quick deliveries from nearby producers such as Mill Farm Organic in Bentley, meaning the need for frozen food is obsolete.

The pub boasts daily deals that can appeal to everyone, with their lunch menus featuring rabbit ‘two ways’ and traditional hearty grub.

Robin continued: “We wanted to go back to traditional pub food which I think is really suitable for the area. We’d really like to thank everyone that voted for us and all our great staff for their hard work.”

The Fox in The Bourne, The Six Bells in Hale Road and The Royal Oak in Wrecclesham were among nine pubs in Farnham to make the final shortlist.

As part of the Listeners Choice Awards, each month a new category will open for listeners to vote for the best venues in Surrey and Hampshire, including Best Restaurant in June, Best Day Out and Best Night Out.