AN Alvechurch pub which has been named one of the country's best has raised almost £4,500 for local charities.

Licensees of The Crown, David and Tricia Fisher, were highly commended in the national final of pub company Punch Taverns' annual Shine awards.

They scooped a £500 prize at a glitzy ceremony held at Stirling Castle in Scotland.

Fans of the Withybed Lane watering hole voted via public telephone or text message, with all proceeds from each £1 vote being donated to the finalists' chosen charities.

Votes for The Crown raised £4,632 for the Acorns Children's Hospice, Andy's Fund, for disabled car accident victim Andy Perrygrove and Redditch's Where Next Association.

Mrs Fisher said: "The grand final was a magnificent event and we're very proud to have done so well in the Shine awards.

"We have had excellent support from our dedicated team of staff and many regulars throughout the competition, which has been a really enjoyable experience. They all helped raise a huge amount of money for charity by voting for us as well."