A NORTH Lancashire couple are the toast of their village after their pub was crowned best in Britain.

Ann and Neil France are tenants at Burton in Kendal’s Kings Arms, an 18th century coaching inn.

And they won the prestigious Pub of the Year title at Daniel Thwaites Awards for Excellence 2016 ceremony in Cheshire.

The award is the icing on the cake of the couple's 37-year career in the pub trade.

But they might need to find space in their popular pub for a trophy cabinet with the Kings Arms also being recognised with the Best Community Involvement award.

Ann and Neil put their success down to a simple mantra of: “Whatever you do – embrace it. Do it the best you can.”

But their achievements are just reward for the Frances devoting years to ensuring their pub is well and truly the hub of their community.

In the seven years as tenants of the Main Street pub, Ann and Neil have introduced a wealth of events and facilities to put Burton in Kendal on the map as one of the UK’s most friendly and welcoming rural communities.

The Kings Arms has:

L Given over land for locals to use as allotments

L Employed disabled people who have flourished in their new careers

L Offered a safe haven for young people

L Hosted an annual Onion Festival celebrating traditional village life, which raised £5,000 for local charities last year

L Helped raise over £1,500 for local brownies through a Spring Daffodil Show

L And received the Heinz Heartwarming Heroes award for creating a forthcoming event helping hundreds of children in the local area learn vital first-aid and lifesaving skills

Andrew Buchanan, Director of Pubs and Brewing for Daniel Thwaites, said: “To thrive, publicans need to make a real effort to put their establishments at the heart of their community.

“Neil and Ann run the only pub in their village. They are proof pubs at the community hub make a hugely positive difference to everyone in the area.”

The couple can now look forward to a five star trip to Ireland to celebrate later in the year.

Another local winner was Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, Arnside, which took the title of Best Sky Sports. Live sport is shown every day at the pub – but judges were bowled over by the marketing strategy employed by tenants Tony Keates and Jeanette Hamer that keeps customers connected to their favourite sports.