WORCESTER’S best pub has been crowned, with the Bedwardine in St John’s winning its second Pub of the Year title in a row.

Votes flooded in over the course of the Worcester News Pub of the Year competition which saw landlord Sebastian O’Donnell take home the trophy for the second year in a row.

Readers' praise included that the pub’s staff were friendly, there was a good atmosphere, and pub goers enjoyed playing skittles there.

“Open fire, very welcoming,” said one of its voters, while another added: “Best pub in St John’s, excellent pint and cracking staff”.

As it has been named winner The Bedwardine, known by many as ‘The Beddy’, has received its Pub of the Year trophy in the new year, and Mr O’Donnell has received an invite to the Houses of Parliament by the city’s MP, Robin Walker.

Receiving the trophy, Mr O’Donnell said: “We have put the dates we won Pub of the Year on the wall and have left a space at the end for 2020.

“Since last year we have gone from strength to strength - the loyalty of our customers is fantastic.

“Last year was interesting with the fears the pub could close but to win again this year is great.

“It is great for pubs in the area that we have won and the Bell has come second again.

“When I got the phone call to say we had won I was absolutely buzzing.

“The pub is going from strength to strength so all we can do is keep on giving back - here’s to 2020.”

Mr O’Donnell moved with his family to the Bromyard Road-based pub after running the popular but now demolished Coppertops in Dines Green, and since taking it over it has gone from strength-to-strength.

In second place was another St John’s pub, the Bell Inn.

Its voters praised if for “good beer and staff”, and another wrote “my local for many years - a proper pub”.

And in third place was The Alma Tavern.