A quaint drinking hole in a 19th century stable has been named the Kent Pub of the Year by a body representing the beer and drinks industry.

The Yard of Ale in Broadstairs, a micropub which serves cask ales and real ciders alongside local wines, has been chosen among 16 regional finalists for the National Pub of the Year competition by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

The boozer was judged based on its atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, value for money, customer mix and, most importantly, the quality of beer.

It also serves tea and coffee as well as handmade pork pies and Kent crisps and cheese.

The bar floor is made of original cobbles and is often strewn with hay for a stable effect. Outside is a wooden-decked patio drinking area.

Landlord Ian Noble opened the pub with business partner Shawn Galvin in April last year.

He said: “It was a light bulb moment. The building was an empty shell but after six months of hard work we turned it into the pub it is today.

“We never expected to win in our first award of Thanet Pub of the Year, Joint Cider Pub of the Year, East Kent Pub of the Year and now the Kent Pub of the Year Award is truly amazing.

“We would like to thank all our customers who have supported us over the last 17 months.”

The naming of the Kent Pub of the Year and other regional finalists marks the launch of the Good Beer Guide 2016, which publishes today.

Editor Roger Protz said: “Being named in the Top 16 in Britain is something these pubs should be hugely proud of and is testament to how hard each of the pubs work to get this far, winning their local and now regional pub award.

“The next step for all of these pubs is to be judged against each other in the National Pub of the Year competition, which will see one of the 16 crowned as the best pub in the whole country.”

It comes as CAMRA also reveals British brewing has grown by 10% for third consecutive year.

There are now 1,424 breweries in the UK, the highest number since the 1930s and 40s, producing more than 11,000 different real ales.

Mr Protz added: “The great British beer revolution rolls on and appears to be unstoppable.

“Britain now has more breweries per head than any other country and the range of beers on offer is the best in the world, ranging from the palest golden ale to the darkest, pitch-black stout.”