REAL ale campaigners are celebrating after a round of west Dorset pubs were singled out for praise.

The latest Good Beer Guide, published by the Campaign for Real Ale, includes 31 pubs in the area.

Palmers’ thatched Bridport brewery provides six of the listed pubs, including the Royal Standard at Lyme Regis, the Ropemakers Arms at Bridport and the Thimble Inn at Piddlehinton.

Palmers’ tenanted trade director Jayson Perfect is overjoyed.

He said: “We are very proud of our tenants and their awards.

“The licensees put their hearts and souls into their pubs and it’s fantastic to see their commitment and dedication being rewarded.”

Other recommendations include the Bottle Inn at Marshwood, home of the world nettle-eating championships.

The Trooper Inn at Stourton Caundle near Sherborne won the Wessex Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Pub of the Year title.

Only five miles to the west is the runner-up, the Three Elms Inn at North Wootton.

West Dorset CAMRA spokesman Michel Hooper-Immins said: “The CAMRA regional Pub of the Year competition includes all the pubs in Hampshire, Dorset, the Isle of Wight, Channel Islands with parts of Surrey and Wiltshire included.

“So it is a really remarkable achievement for the top two this year to be from north Dorset. It demonstrates the overall quality of our Dorset real ale houses and we congratulate both licensees.”

The Trooper Inn was nominated by the Heart of Wessex CAMRA branch and The Three Elms by the West Dorset branch.

In the 2014 Good Beer Guide, recommended for the second year running is the thatched Royal Oak pub in Cerne Abbas, owned by Hall & Woodhouse.

Licensee Nicky Bligh has continued the good work of retired licensee Brendan Malone since taking over earlier in the year and is delighted the iconic pub, which dates back to 1540, has retained the prized listing.

Mr Hooper-Immins added: “We congratulate all 31 pubs, which are chosen by local CAMRA members following a rigorous inspection procedure and recommended for the high standard of their real ales, including many from Dorset breweries.”