The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) have announced their list of Local Pubs of the Year.

The Engineers Arms in Henlow and The Half Moon in Hitchin have been chosen as the CAMRA best pubs in East Bedfordshire and North Hertfordshire respectively.

Pubs are judged by thousands of CAMRA volunteers on their decor, value for money, customer service, whether they appeal to all different demographics and the quality of its real ale.

The 200 local branch winners then go forward to battle it out in the regional heats in their quest to become National Pub of the Year, which is announced in early 2015.

New research shows 28 pubs close every week across Britain and 38% of British adults no longer visit pubs. This April’s Community Pubs Month has been launched to help raise the profile of the British pub and pub-going.

Colin Valentine, CAMRA Chairman said: “There are literally thousands of wonderful pubs that need our support at this moment in time and I would urge everyone to visit their local pub in April and discuss with the licensee ways he or she could encourage you to visit more regularly.”