REGULARS at a canalside pub are celebrating after it received an accolade from a national real ale group.

The Black Lion at Consall Forge has been named August pub of the month by the Campaign For Real Ale (Camra).

Landlord Jason Purcell took over the pub in July 2007, after moving to the area in 2000 from the Black Country.

He used to run both the Hope and Anchor and Bowling Green in Cellarhead.

And he said the quaint, historic pub, which is situated alongside the Churnet Valley railway and Caldon Canal, has become his home from home.

He added: "I was looking for something different, a quirky pub, and this certainly is that.

"It was a shock at first coming from a city to a place like this.

"But I have fallen in love with it and this is my home now.

"It is the last of the real old traditional pubs and, with many others failing now, we really need to hang to it."

In two years Jason has extended the patio and built a children's play area.

He has tidied up an old campsite at the back of the pub for campers to pitch their tents and have a drink.

He provides an internet shopping service for people holidaying on the canal.

And has set up a website dedicated to the pub called www.blacklionpub.co.uk.

The 39-year-old publican was elated when he found out he had won the award after being nominated by fellow ale enthusiast, Dave Edwards, from Peakstones Rock Brewery in Alton.

He added: "It was brilliant, it shows I'm doing my job right.

"We had a celebration event with a band playing called The Wickermen and special bar offers as a thank you to the customers for supporting me and the pub, because without them it wouldn't be here."

Dave Edwards, aged 48, from Cheadle, has been a customer at the Black Lion for 10 years and a member of Camra for more than 20 years.

He said: "Since Jason took over there has always been a warm welcome.

"He keeps his beer to a very high standard and supports local micro breweries like myself.

"It is a very pleasant pub to visit and a tourist attraction. And it is important to keep it going for that reason because it generates income for the area."

Darren Watson, aged 29, is a chef from Bucknall and has been a customer at the Black Lion for 10 years.

He said: "Jason puts hard work and effort into everything he does so he deserves recognition.

"It is a nice place to go to but isn't somewhere you just go past and pop into, you've got to want to go there.

"Jason has turned the pub around since taking over, it is clean and tidy, the food is good and beer is well kept."

Clive Ameson, Potteries Camra branch chairman, presented Jason with his award at the recent celebration event.

He said: "If it was nearer I'd use it as my local.

"The quality of the beer is fantastic. Jason is a very nice guy and his staff were all very friendly and everyone was having a great time.

"With so many pubs having problems and closing down, it was great to see somewhere out in the wilds doing such a good trade."