A LYDFORD pub has scooped the coveted title of Best Dining Pub in Devon in the new edition of the Good Pub Guide.

The Dartmoor Inn, at Lydford, owned by Karen and Philip Burgess, was named Devon dining pub of the year, an achievement made all the more impressive by the fact the inn was not even listed in last year?s edition.

The inn was shortlisted for the national prize and was described in the guide as one of the ?culinary top dogs? whose food was ?outstanding?.

Karen and Philip, who have been running the Dartmoor Inn for five years, were only told they had been included in the guide last month.

?We are absolutely delighted. It was a complete surprise,? said Karen. The inn was nominated for the award by a number of satisfied customers and was then inspected anonymously by someone from the Good Pub Guide.

Karen said the award was also a tribute to the staff at the Dartmoor Inn, who she said all tried very hard to keep up the high standards of service.

Karen said she attributed the Dartmoor Inn?s success to a number of factors. ?It?s not just the food, its the combination of having really fabulous food, which is all locally produced, and always a very warm welcome and a relaxed atmosphere.?

Karen said she had no special plans to celebrate the award just yet, but she was keen to let people know about the inn?s success. ?We are very busy at the moment and we are just enjoying looking after everyone, but I am thinking about having a celebratory dinner in the New Year.?

The building is a 16th century original coaching inn that has been beautifully restored. Records suggest there has been an inn on the site for more than 700 years.

The Good Pub Guide 2003, published by Ebury Publications, lists more than 5,000 of Britain?s best establishments.