LANDLORD Alan Murdock has an extra reason to celebrate on St Patrick's Day - he's in the final of a top competition.

Alan, 40, won a place in the UK's Best Barperson of the Year contest after transforming an old, derelict pub into a thriving Irish bar.

Now the Irishman will be heading to a glittering award ceremony in London where he hopes to put the Shamus O' Donnell's pub, outside the Rovers ground in Ewood, firmly on the map.

He said: "I was nominated by some of the regulars. I had to answer questions about the pub trade and write an essay on why I thought I was good enough for the final.

"We're having a big party at the pub this Sunday to mark St Patrick's Day. The news that I'm in the finals will make it even more spectacular. "I've worked in pubs in Northern and Southern Ireland, which have given me plenty of ideas about how a traditional Irish bar should be run."

Locals already reckon Alan, who took over the pub when it opened a year ago, is the tops.

One said: "Alan has developed a terrific atmosphere - or craic as the Irish call it - and there is never any fan trouble, even after a needle match next door."

The Guinness-sponsored event will be held at the plush Park Lane Hotel in London on May 1.

A full day of entertainment is planned at the pub on Sunday starting at noon. There will be cut-price drinks, a karaoke and live music and dance from the Blackburn School of Irish Dancing.

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