THE race is hotting up in The Press Pub Awards, as we raise a glass to the best of the best in our region.

Today, we publish the shortlist for our 2011 awards, after a diligent round of judging stretching across York and North and East Yorkshire.

In total, 46 pubs were nominated for at least one award, with some nominated for several. We have whittled that down to a shortlist of no more than five in each category, and will announce the winners later in the spring.

But if you disagree with our verdict, don’t despair – we’re also giving you, the readers, the chance to name the best pub from all our finalists.

THE SHORTLIST

Best real ale pub: Brigantes in Micklegate, Pivní in Patrick Pool, The Maltings in Tanner’s Moat, The Rook & Gaskill in Lawrence Street.

Best food pub: The Crown in Great Ouseburn, Blacksmiths Arms in Huntington, Red Lion in Knapton, Tanglewood on the A64.

Best community pub: Turf Tavern in Thanet Road, The Crown in Great Ouseburn, Birch Hall in Beck Hole, Black Swan in Wistow, The Fox in Holgate Road.

Best landlord: Jason Hawkins of The Three Tuns, Kevin Jones of Brigantes, Jack and Mel Merry of The Lamb and Lion, Shaun Collinge of The Maltings.

Best entertainment pub: Old White Swan in Goodramgate, Waggon And Horses in Lawrence Street, Victoria Vaults in Nunnery Lane.

Best outdoor area: The Swan in Bishopgate Street, Red Lion in Merchantgate, Lamb And Lion in High Petergate.

Best overall pub: The Swan in Bishopgate Street, Minster Inn in Marygate, Black Swan in Peasholme Green, Brigantes in Micklegate, Blacksmiths Arms in Westow.

THIS year, we are giving you the chance to decide which pub YOU think deserves an award.

We have introduced a new category to go with the original seven, so you too can help choose the winner in our Pub Awards.

All the pubs that have made it on to our shortlist are listed below, allowing you to vote for the one YOU think should win.

Whichever pub receives most votes will receive the Readers’ Choice award. So raise a glass to your local and get voting! Lines are open now and close at 11.59pm on May 6.

HOW TO VOTE

By Phone: Call 0901 221 and then add the four digits under the pub of your choice. For example, to vote for Brigantes, phone 0901 221 0212. Or for Pivní phone 0901 221 0213.

By Text: Send your text to 80360 starting with PUBS leave a space, followed by the four digits beside the pub of your choice. Calls cost no more than 26p per call from a BT Landline. Calls from mobiles and some other networks may cost more. Texts cost 25p plus your normal operator text charge. Telephone and text voting lines open 25/04/2011 and close 06/05/2011 at 23:59:59pm.

For full terms visit newsquest.co.uk/terms Service Provided by Newsquest Media Group.

PUB CODES

Brigantes in Micklegate – 0212

Pivní in Patrick Pool – 0213

Maltings in Tanner’s Moat – 0214

Rook and Gaskill in Lawrence Street – 0215

The Crown in Great Ouseburn – 0216

Blacksmiths Arms in Huntington – 0217

Red Lion in Knapton – 0218

Tanglewood on the A64 – 0219

Turf Tavern in Thanet Road – 0220

Birch Hall at Beck Hole – 0221

Black Swan at Wistow – 0222

The Fox in Holgate Road – 0223

The Three Tuns in Coppergate – 0224

Old White Swan in Goodramgate – 0225

Waggon and Horses in Lawrence Street – 0226

Victoria Vaults in Nunnery Lane – 0227

The Swan in Bishopgate Street/Clementhorpe – 0228

The Red Lion in Merchantgate – 0229

The Lamb and Lion in High Petergate – 0230

The Minster Inn in Marygate – 0231

The Black Swan in Peasholme Green – 0232

The Blacksmiths Arms in Westow – 0233

All streets mentioned are in York if not otherwise stated.