FIVE Sussex pubs have been named among the UK’s best in a list released by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

The White Horse in Maplehurst, the Inglenook Hotel in Bognor, The Parsonage in Tarring, The Tower pub in St Leonards and the Brewer’s Arms in Lewes, were voted the best regional pubs by local CAMRA branches.

They will now battle it out to be named National Pub of the Year, which will be announced early in 2016.

The popular online pub guide Beer in the Evening named The White Horse as one of best around with one reviewer commenting: “A friendly welcome and a homely feel, it was all that a country pub should be.”

Liam Griffin of the Brewer’s Arms, in High Street, which is also highly rated, said: “It’s a real honour for the whole pub, and recognises the effort everyone has put in.”

The White Horse pub in Park Lane has been named as the best North Sussex pub for the fifth time, to the delight of landlady Beth Johnson.

She said: “We are all very excited. Pub life has changed and people use pubs in a different way to when we first came in.

“We would like to be a traditional pub, as we feel there aren’t so many around now.”

Tony Honour, 55, took over the Inglenook Hotel, in Pagham Road, from his parents.

“The pub and restaurant is now in its 41st year.

He said: “We are a family run hotel, and we’re just thrilled at this. It was just a little tiny pub when my mum bought it, and she still works here.”

The Tower Pub in London Road is in the Good Beer Guide for the second time, and also won a real cider award from CAMRA.

Louisa Gover, 36, who took over the pub from her father, said: “We’ve worked so hard, and we couldn’t do it without our customers’ support.

“With the current climate you have to adapt. Real ale was the way to go for us.”

Wayne Lowery, 58, owner of The Parsonage in High Street, said: “It feels fantastic, especially as it is the second time in three years.

“We’re bowled over.”

The Inglenook Hotel

The Argus:

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5

Tripadvisor reviewers said: “We asked if we could take the chef home as his cooking was so wonderful”“You always get a warm welcome from the team even when they're busy.”

The White Horse Beer in the Evening rating: 8.5/10 Beer in the Evening reviewers said“It's a real country pub and has a real homely feel.”“One of those places you feel at home as soon as you walk through the door”

The Tower

The Argus:

CAMRA review said: “It has six hand-pumps dispensing very reasonably priced real ales, including four ever-changing guests, at least one of which is usually a dark beer.

“There is a well-stocked jukebox, monthly meat raffle, the odd themed night and occasional pub trips. The wood-burning stove provides a cosy atmosphere in winter, the friendly staff provide a warm atmosphere all year round, making this local well worth visiting.”

The Brewer’s Arms

The Argus:

Beer in the Evening rating: 7.3/10

Beer in the Evening reviewers said: “Lovely pub, great food, great choice of beers.”“Cannot really fault this pub, more proper pubs like this, please!”

The Parsonage

The Argus:

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5

Tripadvisor reviewers said: “This place has a wonderful atmosphere, the staff are exceptionally helpful and the food was outstanding”“It is a very old and rather special place and the building alone will leave happy memories”