A DORSET pub is the toast of the country after being singled out for a prestigious national award.

The Square & Compass in Worth Matravers is one of 32 pubs in the country to have been given a Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Golden Award, out of more than 240 entrants.

READ MORE: Country's best beer gardens: The Square and Compass and Smugglers Inn, Osmington

CAMRA is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year as, as part of its celebrations, the organisation is recognising people, groups of people or businesses that have made a significant contribution to CAMRA's aims.

The Square & Compass, owned by Charlie Newman, is one of just five pubs that have appeared in every edition of CAMRA's Good Beer Guide since its conception in 1973.

Dorset Echo:

Mr Newman said: "It is very much appreciated being given the award. We do our best to dispense good beer and good cider and to serve simple food so it's nice to be recognised for what we do - it must mean we are doing something right.

"It's a great boost for staff morale and it has been a team effort."

The pub, which dates back to 1776, has been in the Newman family for 114 years and has a museum on site displaying fossils and archaeological items the family has collected.

Charlie Newman, who has worked at the pub for 40 years, said this past year going in and out of lockdown has been unlike any he has seen before.

He said: "It has been an extremely strange year. As a publican, you rely on that fanatic energy and always being push and trying to meet demand, but when you take that away for a long period of time, it's quite difficult to get back up to pace and has quite a significant mental impact.

"Having been in the industry all my life, I am quite sad to see that so many pubs are going by the wayside as a result of the pandemic and we are fortunate that hasn't happened to us.

"We are preparing for a busy summer ahead of us and hope that we don't have to go into another lockdown."

Director of CAMRA's awards Gary Timmins said: "2021 is our anniversary year and we want to take this opportunity to celebrate the successes of these pubs as well as CAMRA's achievements - we wouldn't have got far without their support.

"This anniversary comes on the heels of an incredibly difficult time for the industry after a year of lockdowns and restrictions. I hope publicans, managers, bar staff and all involved will take this award as recognition for all the hard work involved in running the pub, over decades and especially now.

"These pubs have been chosen for their success in standing the test of time, for being convivial, characterful and community-focused, and, of course, for consistently pouring great pints. I applaud them for their dedication, for being community stalwarts and campaigning heroes."

For more information on CAMRA, visit ww.camra.org.uk/