LICENSEE Diane Beech is toasting an award from real ale lovers.

Members of the Potteries branch of the Campaign For Real Ale (Camra) have named the Biddulph Arms the pub of the month for February.

The Congleton Road venue was praised for its selection of ales and friendly atmosphere.

Diane has run the pub for just over four years.

The 51-year-old said: "It's the first time we have won this award and we are really grateful to Camra for picking us.

"We are keen to put on ale from local micro-breweries and they are always welcomed by our customers.

"We manage to host two beer festivals a year and they also prove successful."

The pub usually has three real ales on at a time to quench the needs of beer fans.

Branch chairman Clive Ameson, from Fenton, said: "Our members were really impressed with the quality of the ale.

"We don't always just go for pubs with a big selection as the most important thing is the quality."

The pub will host its first beer festival of the year next month.

The festival, which will include 15 ales and two ciders, will run from Wednesday, March 17 until Sunday, March 21.