By Joe Riddle

Organic beer, local produce and ethically-sourced meat have helped see the Preston Park Tavern named the “UK’s most sustainable pub”.

The pub in Havelock Road was handed the title at the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) awards ceremony held in London’s South Bank .

Owners Andrew and Helen Coggings have spent nearly seven years building their business and now it is leading the UK’s sustainable market.

Mr Coggings is delighted with his business’ success.

He said: “We are obviously very proud and privileged to have won, and we would like to thank the staff who have worked very hard to make this happen.

“After six and a half years it’s great to finally get some recognition for what we have worked so hard to achieve.”

The pub sources it’s food locally and makes sure its suppliers are maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and sustainability.

Recycling is high on the agenda and everything from ornaments to waiters’ notepads are carefully designed to make sure nothing goes to waste.

Mr Coggings, an experienced hotelier, is proud of his business’s commitment to sustainability. He said: “If you have to make a conscious effort then you are doing it for the wrong reasons.

“We wouldn’t dream of doing it any other way. We recycle at home so why wouldn’t we do it here in our business?”

The pub has a water filtration machine on site and supplies all its own still and sparkling water, cutting out the “food miles” associated with buying it in from elsewhere.

From the way tips are shared out, to the biodegradable cleaning products they use, every detail been thought through to make sure the business is as sustainable as possible.

The Preston Park Tavern is the only pub in the city with the SRA three-star rating.