A WORCESTER pub has been judged the best in Britain in the hit ITV show Al Murray's Happy Hour - thanks to a generous helping of pie and chips and a women's netball team.

The Blackpole Inn clinched pub of the week, and also the series, on the popular show.

The stand-up comedian, famous for his on-stage persona as the patriotic Pub Landlord, was impressed with a menu filled with cheap and tasty British grub. He was also bowled over by the pub's skittle alley.

The show was filmed in front of an audience of 400 people at the ITV studios in London last Tuesday.

Landlord Mark Scothern, aged 50, and his wife Elaine, 53, were in the audience as everyone chanted the famous catchphrase Fame On You.

The couple also made sure they tuned in at the pub in Blackpole Road with a crowd of locals to watch the show on TV on Saturday.

Mr Scothern, who lives above the pub, said: "He said Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Happy Hour - the pub of the week is the Blackpole in Worcester'.

"He loved that we served pie and chips. When he found out we had a netball team he said Oooh, a netball team, lovely, lovely'.

"I am really proud - it's superb. It's good for the pub and the area."

The accolade only confirms the high opinion locals already have of their fav-ourite pub.

Roy Burston, 69, of Prestbury Close, Blackpole, said: "I like it because the beer is the cheapest and it's the nearest. The food is excellent and it's brilliant value."

Ernest Whittle, 79, of Lyneham Close, Blackpole, has been a regular for 18 years but believes the pub has got even better since the Scotherns took over two years ago.

He said: "They're very nice people and there's never any arguments or trouble there. They keep the pub spotlessly clean and the landlord is always chatty. What more could you ask for?"

Not all pubs have been so well received by Murray, who has been particularly scath-ing about Aussie theme bars.

But he was certainly was impressed with the Blackpole Inn, which boasts a function room and skittle alley, six football teams, nine skittles teams, three darts teams, two netball teams, a widescreen television for sport and its own psychic.