NOMINATIONS have begun pouring in for The Press Pub Awards 2011, as drinkers rush to champion their favourite watering holes.

We launched the awards last Friday, and within days readers had begun sending us their entries.

Among those nominated in the first batch was The Fox, in Holgate, which has been put forward in three of our seven categories.

Customer Phil Howden has voted for it as best community pub and best overall pub, and has also put forward its custodian, Stuart Weston, for the best landlord title.

In his nomination, Mr Howden wrote: “The Fox is a cosy, well run pub with top class friendly service and excellent beers.

“It is a strong community pub with a strong commitment to charity work and provides customers with a wide range of entertainment, including a really nice outdoor family area.

“Stuart and Lyndsey Weston are brilliant at running their pub and have been in the business long enough to know exactly how to run a first class public house.”

Mr Howden also nominated York City FC social club’s venue, The Pitchside Bar, for two awards – best real ale pub and best entertainment. And he voted for the Red Lion in Merchantgate as best outdoor area.

If you’d like to nominate a pub for one of our awards, it couldn’t be easier.

Complete the entry form or email gavin.aitchison@thepress.co.uk –include your name and contact details (phone number or email), the name of the pub you are nominating, and your reasons.

There will be a nomination form in The Press every Friday and we will announce the winners early in the new year.

The awards are open to all pubs within The Press’s circulation area, so if you can get The Press in your local newsagent, then your local pub will almost certainly qualify, but if in doubt, phone 01904 567131.

Usual rules and conditions apply. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.