A POPULAR Maldon Pub has won a prestigious award following a hardworking year of transformative changes.

The Queen Victoria watering hole in Spital Road has scooped the Most Improved Pub of the Year accolade from the Maldon and Dengie branch of ale organisation CAMRA.

The recognition comes after a hardworking 12-months for the brewhouse and new owners James Burrell and Paul Cooke, who have quickly converted the pub into popular hangout renowned for its real ales and delicious homecooked meals.

James said: “It is an honour and very humbling to win this award.

“It is people that make a pub and without all of our customers we would not be here.

“The team at the Queen Victoria love looking after everyone and strive to make everyone feel valued and special and we strive to put our customers at the heart of everything we do.”