THE Taps is the tops, according to CAMRA judges who've raised their glasses to the Lytham hostelry and named it best pub in the West Pennines.

And perhaps it's no wonder the popular Henry Street local has won this accolade as the landlord was born in a pub!

The Taps recently attained the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre title for the third time and this new award puts it in the UK's top16 real ale pubs. All will be competing for the CAMRA 'Pub of the Year' to be announced in late December or early January.

Landlord Ian Rigg said: "This is the culmination of a lifetime in the business. I was born in a pub in Manchester where my parents had the licence and my whole working career has been in the licensed trade.

"But a lot of the credit must go to my wife June and the terrific and loyal staff I have here. We are all absolutely delighted and are thrilled to be going forward to the semi-final in November."

A regular member of the panel of judges at beer festivals up and down the country, Ian enjoys his enviable task as a 'beer taster'.

But beer fanatic Ian says his favourite tipple is a pint or two of the exclusive Taps Bitter, which is brewed especially for the pub.