REAL ale fans have voted the Victoria Inn the best pub in Colchester for the third year running.

The Colchester and North East Essex Campaign for Real Ale also named it the best town pub.

The Black Buoy, in Wivenhoe, which was taken over by residents, won the best rural pub honour.

Sheena Valentine, who runs the Victoria Inn, in North Station Road, said: “We’re delighted.

It’s an honour to win three years in a row.

“It is nice to be recognised for serving good ales. It means extra business for us because people come and seek us out.

“We keep it simple. We don’t try and be everything for everyone.

We don’t do food and we don’t have Sky Sports or pool tables. It is just a proper pub.”

The Black Buoy was relaunched as a community pub at the end of 2013 after being bought by residents when Punch Taverns decided to close the pub.

About 40 residents clubbed together to form the Wivenhoe Pub Company to buy it.

It was refurbished and reopened, and staff have been working hard to rebuild the business ever since.

Pub manager Stephen Kilbey, 24, said: “The award means a great deal to us. It is a huge achievement, especially coming in the first 15 months.

“The staff have worked extremely hard to give good service and a good range of beers.

“They were chuffed. We all went out for a few drinks to celebrate.

“It just proves that if you put hard work in to things you get good results.”

Ye Olde Albion, in Rowhedge, came second in the rural category and the Alma, in Copford Green, was third.

In the town category the Ale House, in Butt Road, was second and the Odd One Out, in Mersea Road, came in third.

The 30th Colchester Real Ale and Cider Festival will be held at Colchester Arts Centre from Tuesday, May 26 until Saturday, May 30.