A PUB has been rated the best place to drink a pint of cider in Essex.

Last night The Woodbine Inn in Honey Lane, Waltham Abbey was celebrating scooping Herts and Essex Border's pub of the year and branch cider pub of the year when managers Rob and Julie Chapman received a phone call.

They were told The Woodbine had also won the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) best cider pub in Essex, the second year in a row it earned the award.

Now the staff's sights are set on Cider Pub of East Anglia and placing top four in the country- two other honours the pub picked up in 2017.

Mr Chapman, who took over The Woodbine five years ago after running a burger van in the carpark, said: "Our cider selection is made up of 41 different ciders.

"Last year we bought London Glider Cider Co and now we make our own cider, 4,500 litres last year.

"We produce everything in house. All our food. And we have a good range of locally produced ales."

The first batch of Woodbine produced cider was released in October and was made from local resident's back gardens.

It is available in dry, medium dry and four fruit flavours.

Since the Chapmans took over The Woodbine Inn in 2013 the Pub has received eight awards.