LEIGH, Atherton and Tyldesley venues have cause for celebration after being named the best pubs and clubs in South East Lancashire.

Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) announced the winners of its South East Lancashire pub and club of the year awards at the annual general meeting.

The categories were Best New Cask Outlet, Club of the Year, Pub of the Year, Cider Pub of the Year, Community Pub of the Year and Most Improved Pub of the Year.

Leigh venues took two of the awards, with the White Lion in Leigh Road winning Pub of the Year, awarded for its consistency of selling quality real ale during 2015.

Most Improved Pub of the Year was awarded to Waterside Inn in Twist Lane, Leigh, which also picked up the Cider Pub of the Year award.

In Atherton, the Letters Inn in Wigan Road was named Best New Cask Outlet.

Astley and Tyldesley Miners’ Welfare Club, nicknamed Gin Pit, was awarded Club of the Year for the third year running, while the Mort Arms in Tyldesley scooped the Community Pub of the Year gong.

David Maher, assistant manager of the double award winning Waterside Inn, said: “It feels really good to have won two awards.

“All our hard work has paid off.”

The pub had a change in management in October 2014 and has made improvements to what it offers.

David added: “We improved on everything from product range to service and the general atmosphere in here. So it feels good to be recognised.”

Meanwhile Joseph Gorringe, of Astley and Tyldesley Miners’ Welfare Club, said: “It’s fantastic that we have won (Club of the Year) again.”

“We just like to provide good real ale to our customers and guests that come.

“I am really pleased we have won.”

The South East Lancashire Campaign for Real Ale covers Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Astley, Newton-le-Willows, Lowton and Golborne.

The branch meets every month in a local pub to discuss pub and beer issues.

The next meeting will be in the Union Arms, Tyldesley, from 8pm on Monday, February 9.