STAFF and regulars are raising their glasses with extra gusto at one York pub today - after it was named the best boozer in the city.

The Waggon and Horses in Lawrence Street has been named 2012 pub of the year by the York branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

The result was announced at the branch AGM on Tuesday night, and pub landlord Paul Marshall today spoke of his delight.

“I am overjoyed,” he said. “All our hard work has been worth it. I just want to thank everyone - the Camra members for their votes, the breweries for supplying us with great beers, the staff for all their hard work, the customers and all our musicians who perform here.”

Paul and his wife Mandy took over the Waggon and Horses in June 2008, after moving from Lincolnshire when the pub was bought by Bateman’s brewery. It was refitted and redecorated, and has gradually gained an improved reputation for its beer and live music, being shortlisted for the overall award in The Press Pub Awards in 2010 and winning the best entertainment category in the same awards last year.

Mr Marshall said: “It had a bad reputation before, but we gave it a nicer atmosphere and made it a nicer place to come. We went free-of-tie last year, allowing us to provide more beers and to get beer from a lot of the microbreweries, which has helped.”

Matt Grant, chairman of York Camra, said: “It is a really good all-round pub, which appeals to different types of customers. It does not try to do any one thing in particular - it gives a bit of everything, to appeal to everyone, with popular music nights, a fantastic range of beers and friendly staff and management.”

The award will be formally presented later in the year.