TWO of the area's best pubs have proven they pour a good pint, after achieving local and national recognition.

They have been named the pub of the year by their respective Campaign for Real Ale branches and in CAMRA's overall UK's Best 200 Local Pubs of the Year list.

The Red Lion in Exbourne has been named the pub of the year for the North Devon branch while the Tom Cobley Tavern in Spreyton won the prize for the Exeter and East Devon branch.

Representatives from the North Devon branch visited the Red Lion on Saturday to present landlord Nick Hamlyn and the pub's staff with their prize.

It is the second year in a row the pub has claimed the award after their maiden success in 2014.

The pub has two house ales that it keeps on tap, and then rotates other 'guest' selections with all ales sold straight from the barrel.

To show the devotion to its real ales, the pub is one of only a small number in the county to not have either lager or cider pumps on the bar.

Landlord Nick Hamlyn said that both the Red Lion and Tom Cobley winning their respective branches showed the quality of pubs in mid Devon.

He said: 'When we won it last year for the first time it came as a total surprise.

'This time round, it is a huge honour to win it again as well as another surprise.

'Having won it last year you don't expect to hold on to that title.

'Hopefully it shows we are doing thing right and shows a levels of consistency.

'Also hopefully customers take pride in our success because without their support we wouldn't be here doing what we do.

'We position ourselves slightly differently to most other pubs in the country in that we don't have either lager or cider fonts on the bar. They are available of course, but in bottles.

'All our real ale is straight from the barrel, I believe it tastes better that way and it shows our commitment to it.

'One of the best things we get is when tourists come to visit and they pop in and say to us that the Red Lion reminds them of how pubs used to be.

'We like to be traditional and we are very happy to have received this recognition from CAMRA.'

The Tom Cobley at Spreyton has pedigree in the competition, having won the branch prize several times, the South West CAMRA Regional Pub of the Year three times in 2006, 2008 and 2012, and the national title of Best Pub in the UK in 2006.

It is the first time the pub has won the branch title in three years.

The pub is very much a family affair, run by Roger and Carol Cudlip and their daughter Lucy.

At any one time that pub sells a maximum of 14 ales and 16 ciders with a mix of sparkling and traditional ciders.

Lucy said: 'It is really nice to be recognised for all our hard work and to get the prize back after three years.

'I know Dad is chuffed to bits about winning the award and we all are. He's in charge of the beers while I am in control of our ciders.

'We try to keep it as local as possible and support our local breweries like the Winkleigh Cider Company, Dartmoor Brewery, Tavy Ales and others.'

The awards are part of CAMRA's Community Pubs month in April.

Tom Stainer, CAMRA head of communications, said: 'Community Pubs Month is about highlighting the important role pubs play in community life and no pubs are better examples of fantastic locals than these 200 CAMRA branch winners.

'Each one of them has been judged the best in their respective area and are well worth seeking out for any would-be ale lovers.'

The judging process now continues for the two pubs as they compete against each other and other pubs in the region to be named the South West CAMRA Regional Pub of the Year.

The regional winners will then have a chance to progress to the national final.