It's all very fishy

There are plenty of worse things to do on a warm summer evening in the middle of the hottest July since records began than enjoy a pint and some decent pub grub down at the local. So on that basis, it would be hard to argue that the task facing the judges of the Whitby Breaded Scampi Great British Pub Challenge, run in association with The Publican, faced too arduous a task.

However, with the pride of each of the three finalists' regulars at stake, as well as the small matter of a £1,000 first prize to be used for the benefit of the local community, it's no surprise that each pub went to town.

The shortlisted finalists had each been asked to organise a British theme night - a loose enough brief to allow plenty of scope for the use of their imaginations - the only criteria being that the pubs serve Whitby Scampi as part of the festivities.

The judges at all three nights were Laura Troughton, marketing and sales director of Whitby Seafoods, and John Porter, Pub Food editor at The Publican. They were joined on the various nights by a selection of friends and colleagues, including Ros Shiel, PR manager for Beautiful Beer, who was a member of the shortlisting panel.

"All three pubs put on great theme nights," says Laura. "We're going to have a hard job selecting the outright winner."

John adds: "What was really impressive was the way the regulars rallied around the licensees to make each night a success. That's the sort of response you won't get unless the pub is genuinely the focus of its community. Each night there were people queuing up to tell us how proud they were of 'their' pub."

The judges are due to get together to make their final decision very soon, so stay tuned for the announcement of the overall winner. In the meantime, here's just a flavour of the three theme nights.

The Chequers Inn, Laddingford, Kent ​

Located in the pretty Kent village of Laddingford, close to Paddock Wood, the Chequers Inn has found itself at the heart of a local campaign to save the village school, which is threatened with closure.

For the theme night, licensees Charles and Tracey Leaver, who operate the pub in a lease from Enterprise Inns, went the traditional route. Union Jack bunting and classic pub grub were the order of the day.

The pub's extensive garden, perfect for enjoying a pint on a warm evening, ensured that there was plenty of room for everyone who turned up - which appeared to be most of the village. Amid the fun and frolics, however, the ladies of the belly dancing club were able to continue with their regular workout unhindered - although a number of fascinated customers made a mental note to make Tuesday nights at the Chequers a more regular date for the diary.

"This is a great community, and the pub reflects that" says Charles. "The school is an essential part of this community, and the way everyone has rallied round is great."

The Blacksmiths Arms, Lastingham, Yorkshire ​

Forget the pirates of the Caribbean, it's t'buccaneers of t'Dales you need to watch out for. Inspired by nearby Whitby's links with both the sea and as a setting for Bram Stoker's Dracula, the residents of Lastingham broke open the dressing-up trunk big style.

Licensees Peter and Hilary Trafford, who operate the village pub on a free-of-tie lease with Wellington Pub Company, find the locals need little encouragement when it comes to fancy dress.

The pub is a focal point for the village, featuring local produce and supporting local charities including the air ambulance and the fire brigade. "The pirate costumes were originally part of a theme night held last year," says Peter.

The Blacksmith menu makes a feature of local produce, and the pub's chef was inspired. Each of five courses featured a different Whitby product, with those regulars who had been too late to book a table served scampi and chips outside.

With waitresses dressed as pirate serving wenches and a musical accompaniment of live sea shanties - including all 16 verses of What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor?, many of which are inexplicably quite rarely performed - a fine and suitably piratical time was had by all.

The Queen's Head Inn, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire​

Drawing the Monday night slot was, on paper, the short straw - it's traditionally a slow night for trade. But you would never have guessed that from the efforts put in by the regulars at the Queen's Head Inn in the heart of the picturesque village of Stow-on-the-Wold.

Licensee John Bate, who along with wife June runs the pub on a tenancy with the Donnington Brewery, said: "This is a town that attracts a lot of tourists, but we run the pub for the locals - and, of course, that's just what visitors are looking for as well."

The pub raises funds for a variety of local organisations, including schools and sports clubs. The local community turned out in force, rising to the challenge of the beach barbecue theme with a wide selection of swimwear - some of it stylish, much of it, frankly, past its best.

A beach buggy was parked outside the pub, along with a specially-painted "seaside postcard-style" photo board. After a few pints of Gloucestershire ale to wash down the scampi and chips many of the locals were limboing in the town square.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the overall winner.​