By Alistair Corless

TWO Gwent pubs have been named in the UK’s top 200.

The Clytha Arms, in Monmouthshire, and The Lamb, in Newport, have been chosen by judges from the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) as two of the UK’s “Top 200 Local Pubs of the Year 2015” – it was announced today.

Volunteers from CAMRA judge pubs in their area on decor, value for money, customer service and the quality of their ale, with the branch winners going on to compete in the regional heats for the “National Pub of the Year”.

Sarah Canning, 34, from Monmouthshire, works at the Clytha Arms with her parents Andrew, 58, and Beverley, also 58. Her father set up the pub 23 years ago and works as the head chef of the pub’s restaurant – along with her partner Roger Cottrell, 39, who is the second chef.

Ms Canning said: “We are over the moon. My mum and dad have put so much into this pub over the years and it’s great to be recognised for this.

The Clytha Arms also took the CAMRA Gwent country pub of the year award last year.

They will be presented with this year’s award at the Clytha Cider Festival on May 22 to May 25 – a cider and music event they hold annually at the pub.

The Lamb, on Bridge Street, reopened in 2013 following a £250,000 refurbishment. Manager of The Lamb, Johnathan Thomas, 50, said: “We are immensely proud to be named. Since we have reopened we have built up a reputation for our real ales.

“We have a fantastic restaurant and we also put on a lot of entertainment events – we have regular quiz nights plus rugby and football orientated nights.

“We have got a great team of people who understand what they are doing.

“We are very busy at the moment but we will have a couple of pints with staff tonight to celebrate.”