A DALES community pub is celebrating after winning the first CAMRA Pub of the Season award under new rules.

In the spring, the Keighley and Craven branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) reviewed its Pub of the Season awards and decided to run it just twice a year - in the summer and winter - instead of quarterly.

And the first winner under the new system is the Clarendon Hotel at Hebden - a freehouse with three guest bedrooms which has been run by Hayley and Ashley Crampton for the past five years.

The couple - who previously managed the Craven Arms in nearby Appletreewick - now pride themselves on running a family-friendly pub, serving good home-cooked Yorkshire food.

Ashley is the chef and aims to provide something for everybody. All meals are cooked to order, with a choice of dishes for vegetarians and those with other dietary requirements.

Since taking over the Cramptons have increased the range of real ales from three to five and the quality of the beer is recognised with a mention in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide.

Hayley said: "We were thrilled to be told we had gained the title of CAMRA pub of the summer season 2014.

"We work hard on aiming to get our cask beers just right and in perfect drinking condition for our valued customers, having the recognition from a group of people who expect nothing short of perfect means a great deal to us both."

A CAMRA spokeswoman said it was the Clarendon’s community-focus that had been a deciding factor in the award .

She added: "After the Hebden village post office shut, the Cramptons opened The Stables, a farm shop and general store, in a barn next to the pub. They frequently host events including charity fundraisers and the monthly quiz. They have been known to take orders and deliver their meals to villagers."

The award was presented last month when CAMRA members travelled to the village by minibus.

For more details about the Clarendon and all pubs can be found on CAMRA’s Whatpub.com website.