Landlords John and Denise Hamlet have been rewarded for pouring the perfect pint - after their pub became one of the first in the country to win a prestigious new award.

John and Denise, who run The Broad Face pub in Bridge Street, Abingdon, are among less than 200 landlords so far to receive the prestigious Cask Marque plaque.

They won the award - set up in response to concerns about the quality of cask ales being served in pubs - after inspectors judged their beer on its temperature, appearance, aroma and taste.

Mr Hamlet has a secret weapon for ensuring his two cask beers - Morland's Original and Old Speckled Hen - are kept up to scratch. It's his favourite tipple.

He said: "I'm a bitter drinker and so are many of our customers.

"If the beers we served weren't up to standard, they'd soon let us know."

The plaque has been introduced by four breweries - Adnams, Greene King, Marstons and Morland, which owns the Broad Face.

Morland spokesman Silvana Payne said: "We all recognised that something needed to be done."

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