AN INDEPENDENT Kidderminster pub is raising a glass in celebration after being named CAMRA West Midlands’ pub of the year for 2017.

Weavers Real Ale House beat 8,000 other pubs from across the region to scoop the highly-sought after title.

Judges described Weavers, which is run by licensee Dean Cartwright, as a ‘shining light’ of what smaller pubs can achieve despite challenging trading conditions such as high taxation and competition from supermarkets selling cheap beer.

The news came as CAMRA launched its 45th annual Good Beer Guide, a milestone the group is using to urge the Government to give pubs a fairer crack of the whip to reverse the trend of venues closing.

This is the latest honour for Weavers Real Ale House, which was also named Wyre Forest CAMRA’s pub of the year in March.

A spokesman for Camra West Midlands said: “Weavers is one of a new breed of pubs that is emerging.

“Opened only in July 2013, it occupies a site that was previously a Polish restaurant, and makes a point of selling locally-brewed beers and ciders.

“It has beaten off competition from over 8,000 other pubs in the region to win this accolade.

“It is a shining light as to what can be done with passion, hard work and a clear vision that provides local pub-users with what they want.

“Moreover, by sourcing many of their beers locally, it also keeps money circulating in the local community and supports local jobs.”