PUB landlord David Smith will be hoping to plough his way to success when the chips are down at a competition in Monte Carlo.

Mr Smith's pub, the Plough & Harrow in Drakes Broughton, near Pershore, will compete for the national Staff Development Pub of the Year title at the ceremony in Monaco later this month.

Three other regional winners will be raising the stakes at the Whitbread competition staged in Europe's gambling capital.

"The Excellence Awards signify our total commitment to our lessees' businesses and our recognition of their achievements," said Robbie Halkett, managing director of Whitbread Pub Partnerships.

Mr Smith also runs The Yorkshire Grey in Earls Croome, near Upton-upon-Severn.