Pub finalists set to raise a glass as award shortlist is revealed

Fifteen of Yorkshire’s most popular locals will go up against each other in a bid to land the coveted title.

The competition, being run by the official tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire, saw the public nominate in record numbers – with more than 600 pubs being nominated who collectively pulled in nearly 4,000 votes.

A panel of judges narrowed the 30 with the most votes down to 15 finalists and the public are now being invited to vote who they think should win. Voting opens today and closes on July 1 at www.yorkshire.com/pub.

The 15 finalists are the: Buck Hotel in Richmond, the Carpenters Arms in Thirsk, the Durham Ox in Crayke near York, the Forresters Arms in Carlton-in-Coverdale near Leyburn, the Fox and Hounds in West Witton near Leyburn, the Goodmanham Arms in Market Weighton, the Grove Inn in Huddersfield, the Old Horns in Sheffield, the Rose & Crown in Hoylandswaine near Barnsley, Scotts Arms in Wetherby, the Fleece in Otley, The Lion in Settle, The White Horse Farm Inn at Rosedale Abbey, The Town Hall Tavern in Leeds and last year’s winner the Shibden Mill Inn near Halifax.

The pub with the most votes will be announced at the Great Yorkshire Show on Tuesday July 10 and they will be crowned Yorkshire’s Favourite Pub 2012.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The response to our competition has been nothing short of amazing. The first stage of voting attracted 1,000 more votes than last year, which shows how passionate the Yorkshire public is about their favourite locals.

“The judges found it a real challenge in narrowing down the 30 to a final list for the public to vote a favourite from as the standard was so exceptionally high.”