A Brierley Hill pub has been announced as the Dudley and South Staffordshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale's pub of the year.

The Vine, also known as the Bull and Bladder, in Delph Road came out on top in judging by branch members.

A winner's certificate will be presented to the pub, part of the chain of Batham's pubs on a date to be arranged.

The Vine is next to the Batham's brewery and has established a reputation for great lunchtime food.

The runner-up in the competition was the 2024 winner - the Beacon Hotel in Bilston Street, Sedgley.

Another former winner The Bird in Hand in John Street, Wordsley took third place.

The branch is presenting its rural/South Staffordshire pub of the year award to The Cross Inn in Church Street, KInver, for the second year in a row.

There are nearly 350 active pubs in the branch area. Beer scores for all of them are taken into account in determining the finalists.

The finalists are then assessed for quality of beer, decor, welcome, community focus and alignment with CAMRA values.

The Vine will now be judged in the West Midlands county round and the Cross in the Staffordshire county round of CAMRA's national competition.