A COUPLE who took over their first pub two years ago have seen their venture crowned the Best in Yorkshire as The Bay Tree in Stillington was named a winner at the White Rose Awards.

The village pub, which reopened under new owners Harri Scott and Ed Allen in 2015, was named Yorkshire Pub of the Year at the regional awards this week.

The win marks a massive coup for the couple, who took on The Bay Tree as their first business venture, reopening after a major refurbishment of the Stillington venue.

Winning the title, The Bay Tree beat competition from finalists The Bruce Arms in West Tanfield, The Chequers Inn in Bilton-In-Ainsty, The Duke of York in Gate Helmsley, The Swan & Talbot in Wetherby and The White Swan in Ampleforth.

Miss Scott, 26, who worked at the pub as a teenager before returning to her roots to take it on with partner Mr Allen, said: “It’s really exciting to win this award. We genuinely didn’t think we stood a chance.

“To come back home after ten years away, and take our local pub on to win a big award like this is something we’re really proud of. We are such a little team, we are just amazed we won.”

More than 1,000 people attended Welcome to Yorkshire’s White Rose Awards ceremony on Monday evening at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.

There were notable successes for several in the York area and North Yorkshire.

While The Bay Tree won the title Yorkshire Pub of the Year, The Pheasant Hotel at Helmsley was named Restaurant of the Year.

Scampston Hall and Walled Garden near Malton was named best Small Attraction, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal near Ripon won the Large Attraction award and the Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate won the title Tourism Event of the Year.

Meanwhile, Bridlington Tourist Information Centre won best Visitor Information and Rudding Park in Harrogate won the Large Hotel award.

Highly Commended businesses included Miller’s Fish and Chips of York in the Taste of Yorkshire category, Lendal Tower, York, in the self-catering award, Vale of Pickering Caravan Park in the Caravan and Holiday Park section and the National Railway Museum, in York, in the Business Tourism category.