Cheryl Hickman and Wayne Starling, who run the Olde Bull Inn, in The Street, will find out in two weeks if they have won the top prize at the Great British Pub Awards, which recognise best practice in the pub trade.

The Olde Bull Inn is one of two pubs in the country left in the running for the best newcomer award. If successful, Cheryl and Wayne will travel to London to pick up their gong at a prestigious ceremony in September.

Cheryl said: "It's quite amazing. We only started running the pub a year ago, without any prior experience in this industry. We know we're working hard, but it's nice to be recognised for that."

Assessors were impressed with the pair's efforts over the past 12 months, which included the refurbishment of the pub's reception, restaurant and its 14 bedrooms. They also have plans to revamp the pub's bar in January.

Things have not always gone smoothly for the pair, who have had to conquer the effects of the smoking ban, Budget increases and the building's heating packing-in.

"We have struggled at times," said Cheryl.

"We arrived just before the smoking ban came into effect. For a couple of weeks after the ban our bar was completely empty and we wondered what on earth we had done by taking over a pub.

"But then slowly it started filling up with people who wanted to come here to eat, which they hadn't done before because of the smoke. We ended up increasing the previous owner's turnover by 50 per cent."

To keep customers coming through the doors, plans are being finalised for the pub's annual band day, called BullFest. Last year's event attracted 500 people and raised £1,000 for local causes.

This year's BullFest, on August 23, will raise funds for the East Anglian Air Ambulance and for the Nicky's Way programme, run by St Nicholas' Hospice, in Bury St Edmunds.

Cheryl said the latter, which provides support for bereaved families, had been chosen by relatives of resident Graham Peachey, who died in a road traffic accident last year.

For more information on BullFest, call the Olde Bull Inn on 01638 711001.

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