A LANDLADY was left speechless after her establishment was awarded Best Pub in Barrow.

Sabria Mcaloone, was close to tears when The Devonshire, on Michaelson Road in Barrow Island, was given the coveted prize after customers voted in their droves to give an overwhelming thumbs-up to all the hard work put in by the landlady and loyal staff.

The 50-year-old manager, who started pulling pints at the pub when she was 18, eventually caught her breath and revealed the secrets of the pub's success.

She said: "It's all about treating your customers as friends.

"Helping people however you can is also key.

"If you do that you'll create a positive relationship with your customer base, which is important in any walk of life.

"Since I've been working here, we've never really needed to innovate or change-up the venue.

"It provides a classic-pub feel which has always made our customers happy and kept them coming back.

"So it is a case of leaving something that's not broken."

Miss Mcaloone manages the pub full-time and is helped out by her partner Matt Griffiths, 54, who works adjacent to the venue as a planner at BAE Systems.

She added: "I'm chuffed, speechless, stunned, and happy all in one.

"I want to thank our customers who voted for us as Barrow's Best Pub.

"They're a great bunch of people who are kept in line by my two dogs Bracken and Rosie - so there's never any trouble.

"I love Barrow and that keeps me motivated.

"It's a great town to live in, no matter what anyone says."

One customer was quick to praise The Devonshire landlady stating how she personally helped him out.

Barrow Island resident Brian Atkinson, 67, said: "I quit drinking due to personal reasons.

"It was difficult, but Sabria helped me every step of the way.

"She deserves the highest of recognition for everything she does for the local community.

"It's a great pub which always provides a welcoming atmosphere."