The main criteria we use when judging candidates for the "POTY" are the quality of the beer, the friendliness of the welcome and the overall atmosphere of the pub. On all these counts, The Live scored very highly and though we had a very strong shortlist, The Live was a clear winner.

Pete Wiffin, the landlord, has been at the pub for 6 years and has been in full charge for the last three. He prides himself on the wide choice of well-kept real ales with the eight handpumps serving a changing selection of beers from all over the country as well as a "real" cider from local producer Cassels. You can also choose from around 20 Belgian bottled beers, including some unusual ones, plus a big range of malt whiskies. Pete also runs regular Beer Festivals; the most recent one took place from 21 to 23 April and had a St George's theme. The 30 or so beers included several brewed specially to commemorate St George's Day.

The Live has excellent home-cooked food available at all sessions but it's very much a drinking pub, not a restaurant with beer as so many pubs have become. It's what we in CAMRA regard as a "real" pub - a far cry from the identikit, anonymous bars which increasingly dominate our city centres. It specialises in good ale and good chat and that's what most of us are looking for - but it's also a smashing place for non-real ale drinkers as well.

Pete was presented with his award on the opening day of the Beer Festival, 22 May.