A GREAT Totham watering hole has retained its title as the Maldon district’s pub of the year.

The Maldon and Dengie branch of the Campaign for Real Ale has awarded the Compasses with the honour for 2017.

Alex Chambers and Hayley Rogers took over the historic roadside inn in February 2015.

The pub also picked up the award in 2016 and went on to be named as Camra’s Essex Pub of the Year.

The Compasses will now go forward to represent Maldon and the Dengie again in the judging for annual regional competition.

This year the joint runners up were the Station Arms in Southminster and the Farmers Yard in Maldon.

Chris Harvey, the chairman of the Maldon & Dengie branch of Camra, said: “We had more Camra members than ever before involved in this vote.

“Both the Station Arms and the Farmers Yard came in joint second just one point behind the Compasses. It was so, so close. It really does demonstrate the strength and depth that we have in this area for pubs.

“We punch above our weight in the region and nationally. When I phoned Alex and Hayley they were a little bit speechless and very humbled.

“I am pleased for them. It is amazing what they have done in two years.”

The Carpenters Arms in Maldon picked up the prize for the Maldon district’s cider pub of the year for the second year running.

Based in Gate Street the pub is run by John Walpole. The Compasses was named runner up.

Mr Harvey said: “All the pubs shortlisted have a fantastic selection of cider. Four years ago you would have been lucky to find any pub in the area which had one or maybe two ciders on.

“Now pubs like the Carpenters Arms and the Compasses regularly have eight or nine.

“Cider has really taken off in the pubs so this award is important to us as it reflects the growing interest. Carpenters deserved the award.”