THE Spread Eagle in Sawley has been honoured as one of the country’s best pubs to eat in.

It has made its first appearance in The Michelin Eating Out In Pubs Guide 2013, which was released last week.

In total the guide recommends more than 550 pubs, of which 10 are in Lancashire and seven in East Lancs.

Greg Barnes, chef manager at the Spread Eagle, said: “It is great to be on the list and we are pleased to get the recognition. It is got to be on lists like these and to receive these honours because it shows you are doing something right, which is important.

“I have been here for 14 years now and recently became chef manager, and there has always been an emphasis on providing good quality food.

“There have been three different owners in that time and things always chance a little, you start with new menus and ideas, but we have also sought to offer good food to customers.”

The other East Lancashire pubs in the guide are the Clog and Billycock, Blackburn, the Red Pump Inn, Bashall Eaves, the Duke of York Inn, Grindleton, the Three Fishes, Mitton, the Inn at Whitewell and the Freemasons, in Wiswell.

Rebecca Burr, editor of the guide, said: “The standard of pub cooking just keeps getting better and better.

“Pubs are often the heartbeat of the local community and it’s been exciting to see that more and more of them are specialising in their own regional ingredients.”