Four pubs in the Cotswolds have reached the finals of the Publican Awards 2020, a national competition that rewards the ‘cream of the cream' of the UK pub industry.

The pubs, operated by Henley-based pub operator and brewer Brakspear, are shortlisted for the Best Pub Accommodation Award, the winners of which will be announced in March.

The Publican Awards, run by pub magazine The Morning Advertiser,  are open to pubs across the UK and are widely regarded as the ‘ones to win'.

The four Cotswolds pubs shortlisted are: the George Hotel in Shipston-on-Stour;  the Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold; the Sheep on Sheep Street, also in Stow; and the Frogmill at Shipton Oliffe near Cheltenham.

The Best Pub Accommodation Award will be given to the pub group which offers guests the best overnight stay, with judges looking for first-rate comfort and design in the bedrooms, outstanding customer service and a tasty breakfast.

READ MORE: Have your say on Cotswold District Council services

Reaching the finals is the first stage in the Publican Awards' rigorous judging process. The next steps include a visit by judges to several of the pubs, professional mystery visits and a panel interview in London for the Brakspear senior management team.

Editor of The Morning Advertiser Ed Bedington said "We had record entries into the Publican Awards this year, so our judges had a difficult task in choosing the finalists from a very talented field. All the pubs that have reached the shortlist deserve to be very proud of their achievement and we wish them all good luck with the next stage of the judging, and look forward to announcing the winners in March."

Winners of the Publican Awards 2020 will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on March 4, attended by hundreds of guests from across the pub industry.