THE country's first community-owned pub on a housing estate has picked up a national award.

The Bevy, in Hillside, Brighton, was praised for its community work at the National Pub Design Awards 2015.

The 1930s pub, formerly known as The Bevendean, re-opened in 2014 after a four year project.

It had been closed in 2010 by police after a string of violent incidents and faced conversion or demolition. In response, locals got together and reinvented The Bevy, raising funds and carrying out much of the refurbishment work.

It was the only pub in the south east to win an award at the event hosted by Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), Historic England and the Victorian Society yesterday.

In the judge's report, professor Steven Parissien said the pub's story was an "inspiring and heartening tale."

He said: "18,000 residents were left without a pub: the nearest alternative was four miles away. In response, the locals got together and reinvented The Bevendean Hotel as ‘The Bevy’, a not-for-profit cooperative resource to which everyone could contribute and all could enjoy.

"And now the pub is a friendly, welcoming hub for community life.

"There is no pool table, and no TV. The interior is smart and honestly contemporary."

He praised the pub's work in offering space for meetings, community events and themed nights as well as a communal vegetable garden and marquee for outdoor receptions.