THE Three Links Club, Skipton, was both shocked and delighted when it was told it had been named the Keighley and Craven CAMRA Club of the Year 2015.

The award demonstrates the commitment of the club to provide a warm welcome, as well as great beer and service to the benefit of its members.

Derek Stansfield, Provincial Grand Master (District Chairman) of the Skipton Oddfellows, said: "We take enormous pride in receiving this award, which is testament to our regular bar staff, Derek Proctor and John Dolan, and members bar manager Brian Phillip and, of course, to our suppliers, the Dark Horse Brewery."

The club - which is located on Rectory Lane, at the exit of the town hall car park - now goes forward to the regional competition and the club is hopeful that its award-winning service will carry it further in the club award stakes.

The Three Links Club is part of the social arm of the Skipton District Oddfellows, one of the largest non-profit making friendly societies in the country.

It has a lively and vibrant social scene with many events and live acts taking place throughout the year, including a country and western weekend and a three-day Ukefest (ukulele festival).

The club rightly prides itself on the quality and range of the cask beer it sells and is prudent in its care and serving of the "real ale".

Although it is a members' club, visitors are welcome by "signing in" to attend functions and events. The club also has a function room for hire for up to 55 people with the bar available as part of the hire.

The award was presented at a special ceremony on Saturday, which marked the official start of the countdown to Skipton Beer Festival. That will take place in the refectory of Skipton's Ermysted's Grammar School over the spring bank holiday, from Thursday, May 28, to Saturday, May 30.

For more information about the Three Links Club, contact 01756 798022.