VisitEngland has honoured the Great English Pub by dedicating the Enjoy England Excellence award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism, to the industry.

While previous winners of the award include Sir Paul McCartney, HM the Queen and the Harry Potter films, VisitEngland voted this year to reward the English pub for the 'integral part they play in the fabric of the English way of life and the opportunity they provide for domestic and international visitors to meet local people and enjoy local foods and drink'.

Actor and publican Neil Morrissey, a supporter of the Axe the Beer Tax Campaign, accepted the award on behalf of the pub industry.

The award comes just days after industry bodies hit out at the Chancellor's decision to increase beer tax by a further 2 per cent, a move the British Beer and Pub Association says 'condemns thousands more (pubs) to shut for good'.

Full details can be viewed at: http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/item/3188/23/5/3