These North-East pubs have been named among the best in the UK

Three pubs in the North-East have been recognised in a prestigious UK-wide awards to find the best watering hole in the nation.

The South Causey Inn in County Durham, The Rat Inn in Northumberland and The Botanist in Newcastle feature in the 94-strong list announced by the National Pub and Bar Awards.

The winners are judged on overall retail excellence, best practice and individual entrepreneurship.

As well as 15 regional winners, the overall National Pub & Bar of the Year will be announced at a red carpet event in London on 23 May.

Quick picture of our garden just before opening #sun #beergarden 😎@top50gastropubs https://t.co/sJnJHTSLkS pic.twitter.com/UjTJJQh9vw

— The Rat Inn (@ratales) April 21, 2018

The South Causey Inn is a classic country pub with a distinctive interior and pleasant dining area, The Rat Inn is a traditional pub in the hamlet of Anick with fine views, while The Botanist in Newcastle is a city centre favourite with all the beers, cocktails and gins you'd expect.

South Causey at night🌙 By @LeeGibbins 📸#NEfollowers pic.twitter.com/QoX5jcuc5j

— South Causey Inn (@southcausey) April 8, 2018

Tristan O’Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine, which runs the awards, said: “This positive, industry-boosting news comes at a time when closures of pubs and bars are too often focused on in the press.

“The sole purpose of the National Pub & Bar Awards is to tell as many people as possible about the incredible businesses that these County Winners are running.

“With 94 triumphant pubs on the winners' list, chances are that every person in the UK will have an award-winning pub near them. Get out there and see these places for yourselves.”