THE Lamb and Lion, in Westcliff has been crowned south east Essex pub of the year by the Campaign for Real Ale.

More than 800 members from the south east Essex branch of the campaign group were asked to cast their votes and the pub, in Station Road, emerged the winner.

Rob Seymour and his partner Andrea Barham have run the pub for 18 months and said they offer real ales, real cider and real music.

Rob said: “Before we took over, this pub had a poor reputation. Now we’ve got a friendly place.”