PUB couple David and Gill Heyes are toasting their success, after being shortlisted for a top hospitality prize.

The pair, who run the Garsdale Country Inn and Restaurant, Brandlesholme, have been selected as one of the three North of England finalists in the British Institute of Inkeeping's Licensee of the Year Competition.

They entered after winning an award from their own brewery, Unique Pubs, who put them forward for the prestigious prize.

To qualify as finalists, David and Gill answered a battery of tough written questions about the licensing laws, staff relations and the brewing trade in general.

The next stage will be a grilling from competition judges, who will also talk to staff at the pub, with the final results announced in March.

David said: "To get down to the final three in the North is quite an achievement and it will be interesting to see what happens.

"We were shocked and surprised because the awards are the most prestigious a pub can achieve.

"They are like an Oscars of the pub industry so it will be a real coup if a Bury pub could win it."