HAIL Cesar — Crosthwaite's Punch Bowl Inn has made it into the Good Hotel Guide's famous 'top ten', known as the Cesar awards.

Every year the guide picks its favourites from the thousands who who can only dream of a mention in its hallowed pages.

To be listed is honour enough, so no wonder news that the Punch Bowl has received one of only 10 'Cesars' had directors Richard Rose and Paul Spencer and their general manager Chris Meredith reaching for champagne.

Their hostlery was the 2009 Michelin ‘eating out pub of the year’, so being able to win another accolade is important to the team.

“It's all about consistency,” said Mr Rose, who said the Punch Bowl didn't take any of its honours for granted. “It takes a considerable amount of work to maintain standards. You can't afford to be complacent.”

Since opening four years ago, The Punch Bowl has earned a loyal clientele and a reputation for tailor-made weddings.

And when Msesrs Rose and Spencer also bagged the services of former Michelin-starred chef Chris Meredith, they knew they had found the ‘strength’ to develop the business.

“He has given the group the confidence it needs to move on,” said Mr Rose.

To that end the entre-preneurs formed Fellmere, which is now working its magic on The Plough Inn at Lupton, on the busy A65 near junction 36 of the M6.

“We have had a great response from the local community with loads of people asking when we will be opening,” said Mr Rose. To keep up to date with the development visit www.the ploughatlupton.co.uk which also has details of recruitment days for staff.

l Nigel Haworth and Craig Bancroft’s Highwayman at Nether Burrow has been named Lancashire Dining Pub of the Year in the Good Pub Guide 2010. For celebrity Michelin starred Chef Haworth the news comes hot on the heels of being honoured for his Outstanding Contribution to Tourism in the North West Tourism Awards.

The Gate Inn at Yanwath is Cumbria’s pub of the year, praised in the guide for its emphasis on food but with local beers and thoughtful wines in an “immaculately kept 17th century inn”.