A LOWESTOFT pub has sealed its status as a haven for discerning beer drinkers.A presentation was held at the Norman Warrior, in Fir Lane, on Saturday as it received the Pub of the Year award from the North East Suffolk and District branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

A LOWESTOFT pub has sealed its status as a haven for discerning beer drinkers.

A presentation was held at the Norman Warrior, in Fir Lane, on Saturday as it received the Pub of the Year award from the North East Suffolk and District branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

In the last three years, the Norman Warrior has now won the award twice and been a finalist and runner-up the other year.

Shaun Waters, director and general manager at the pub, said he was delighted with the accolade.

'It's great news for the whole team at the Norman Warrior and great recognition for all the hard work

that they do,' he said. 'Real ale is one of the cornerstones of our success and we are all thrilled that we will once again be listed in the Good Beer Guide 2011.

'Sincere thanks to all our customers and the local Camra branch who give us so much support.'

After the presentation, the pub laid on a free barbecue, serving up pork and pedigree ale sausages for customers in its beer garden.

Mike Davey, Camra branch chairman, said the award was well deserved. 'The Norman Warrior serves consistently good real ale, it meets all Camra criteria and offer good value for money. All in all a very well-run establishment,' he said.

The Norman Warrior won its first Camra branch Pub of the Year award in 2008 and last year it was the runner-up to the Triangle Tavern, in St Peter's Street, Lowestoft. This year's other finalists were Triangle Tavern; the Oak Tavern, in Crown Street West, Lowestoft; The Buck, at Rumburgh; the Lord Nelson, Southwold and The Plough, at Wissett.