A TINY pub run by a 25-year-old in a former newsagents' shop has been hailed as Lancashire's best, by real ale experts.

The Shepherds Hall Ale House, Chapel Street, Chorley has been named CAMRA Central Lancashire Pub of the Year for 2016.

The bar is owned by three brothers, Stuart Hardyman, 39, Graham Hardyman, 37, and Tom Hardyman, 25, who runs the business day to day with help from dad, John Hardyman 70.

The Shepherds opened in August 2014 after Graham had the idea to convert the former newsagents into a pub.

Tom Hardyman, said: "He had been reading articles on microbreweries and came across the concept of micropubs which have since caught on.

"The idea is to keep the pub simple, no television, music or one armed bandits, just good conversation and great beer in a small intimate environment."

They have five real ale hand pumps and support local microbreweries and also like to keep things interesting with some beers from further afield.

Tom said: "We also serve cider straight from the demijohn and stock wines, prosecco and continental bottled beers.

"Looking after the beer was a new thing to us all really, having never delved into the pub trade before.

"I learnt all my cellarmanship work through reading tons of beer books and with a keen interest in real ale anyway I soon picked everything up."

Staff have organised pub trips out to Liverpool, Stockport and Southport and are starting a games night on Wednesday evenings with things like dominoes, backgammon, chess and scrabble.

"We are delighted to win this award and were even a little bit taken a back.

"It is the first time a Chorley town centre pub has won the award outright since 90/91 and hopefully it is a testament to the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the pub."

The award was due to be presented yesterday evening (Thursday).