AFTER the launch of a competition to find his constituents’ favourite pub, Bury South MP Christian Wakeford recently paid a visit to the brewery behind the winner’s success.

The Goats Gate pub beat over 25 others from across Radcliffe, Whitefield and Prestwich to be crowned as Bury South’s favourite tavern.

The Whitefield pub is popular for its handmade pizzas, live sports and range of award-winning Joseph Holt ales.

Val Watt, one of the co-managers there, said: “This really means a lot to us. Obviously we were ecstatic when we found out we had won because it is a great achievement for us."

Mr Wakeford was given a guided tour of the Joseph Holt brewery in Strangeways by head brewer, Phil Parkinson and chief executive and HR manager Richard Kershaw, before sitting down for a lunch at The Woodthorpe in Prestwich, another Joseph Holt favourite.

Val added: “We are all extremely grateful for all of our great customers who turn up and support us and voted.

"We always try to give our regulars 110pc by going out of our way to give them a good experience when they come in.

"The competition is great thing and is very important to us, it is great to have relationships with other local pubs in the area and this has been great for the community.

"A little bit of healthy competition is great, we're so proud to be named Bury's favourite pub."

Mr Wakeford said he had launched the competition as his way of recognising the hard work and significant contributions pubs make to their communities.

Raymond Hatton, the other co-manager, added: "We are so very proud of our team and of the pub, this industry has been through a lot so competitions like this really help out.

"Personally, I am just very happy, over-the-moon and we would love to be a part of the competition next year."

The Joseph holt brewery has been part of the Bury and Manchester pub scene for 172 years.