THE Kings Arms at Burton-in-Kendal has scooped the Best Community Involvement accolade at the Thwaites Awards for Excellence 2014.

Licensees Neil and Ann France beat off tough competition from elsewhere in the North West to win the award and were praised by the judges for their professionalism and their innovative community activity.

Mr France said: “We’re shocked to have won but delighted to take the award back to the village. Everyone was so excited to hear that we were finalists, so they’ll just be over the moon to hear that we’ve won. It’s great to be part of such an old fashioned community and if there is anything we can do to give back, we really embrace those opportunities. We’ve been a finalist three years in a row now, so it’s fabulous to finally win.”

Andrew Buchanan, director of pub operations at Thwaites, said: “Neil and Ann work tirelessly to ensure they deliver creative and engaging events and activity which involve the entire community which is why they’ve been successful this year. They take real pride in getting the community involved which is what makes them such well deserved winners.”

The couple received an engraved trophy, framed certificate and a 5-star VIP trip for two to Barcelona, Spain.