A PUB has proven popular for people – and man’s best friend – after scooping a national award.

The Brig and Barrel on Belhaven High Street has been celebrating clinching a prize at the Scottish Bar and Pub awards.

A virtual ceremony saw more than a dozen awards handed out, with pubs from throughout the country up for prizes.

James and Sarah Hughes, as well as Labrador Fozzie, from The Brig and Barrel, were delighted to be named the Dog-Friendly Pub of the Year.

James said: “It was a nice wee surprise. We were in the final for three categories [most improved beer garden and pub of the year too], which was great to make the finals.

“To be named the winner of the Dog Friendly Pub of the Year was superb.”

Mr and Mrs Hughes took over the pub at the beginning of July 2018 before a near-year-long refurbishment project.

Doors reopened at the beginning of June last year, although trade has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and various restrictions.

James said: “We are dog lovers ourselves and always think a country pub has to be welcoming to dogs.

“I ask potential members of staff if they like dogs because we get so many coming in. The dogs get a lot of attention from staff.

“They have got water bowls and get a few biscuits and tend to get spoilt.”

A record 9,000 people voted this year and a total of 20 awards were presented to unsuspecting recipients surprised by a knock at the door and a socially distanced congratulations.

Susan Young, organiser of the awards and DRAM publisher, said: “If you’d have told me all those years ago that we would be celebrating our 25th anniversary virtually and with no physical venue or audience, I’d have said there’s more chance of us doing it on the moon. But we couldn’t have hoped for a more action-packed and energised live virtual event.

“I take my hat off to everybody in this industry who has worked night and day to keep pubs and restaurants open safely and responsibly and people in jobs despite the challenges of Covid.”