A freehouse has been voted pub of the year for the sixth time in eight years.

The Selden Arms, Lyndhurst Road, Worthing, received the accolade from the Arun and Adur branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).

Landlady Michele Preston said: "We are thrilled and delighted to receive this prestigious award. Thanks to all our customers and staff for their continued loyalty and support and the many small breweries which brew for us."

The Selden Arms, situated in the shadow of the town's giant gas holder, previously won the award in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2005.

Ken Paris, chairman of Arun and Adur Camra, said: "The Selden Arms was a clear winner with 33 per cent of the vote. Congratulations to Michele and all the staff."

The pub fought off opposition from about 200 pubs in the area, 18 of which feature in Camra's Good Beer Guide.

The Guide states: "The Selden Arms dates back to at least 1869. This smallish local is a genuine freehouse, with six excellent ales being served, and has a very loyal following.

"Over 700 different real ales have been served since the current owners arrived in 1998. One of the hand pumps is usually reserved for a dark beer. Real cider and a range of Belgian bottled beers are stocked. Excellent lunchtime food is served Monday to Saturday plus a monthly Sunday roast."

Camra spokeswoman Astrid Flowers said to win pub of the year landlords had to provide consistently highquality real ale, a good atmosphere, a friendly welcome and good service.

The clientele needed to be a cross-section of people and ages. The pub was required to support Camra's aims and offer good value for money.

Other West Sussex pubs listed in the Good Beer Guide include the King's Arms, Arundel, the Black Horse, Byworth, the Snooty Fox, Findon, the Henty Arms, Ferring, the Dew Drop, Littlehampton and the Vine, Worthing.