Tiger Best bitter crowns Local Hero winner

Former licensee Patrick Thurlby from Derbyshire has been crowned winner of Everards' Tiger Best Bitter Support Your Local Hero contest.

Thurlby, now 73-years-old, is a central figure at his local the Lathkil Hotel in Over Haddon, near Bakewell.

He often compers quizzes, runs events such as whisky tasting nights and organises charity raffles at the pub.

Thurlby won £500 for himself and £500 for charity, but chose to donate both sums to Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity and Ashgate Hospice, which cared for his terminally ill brother.

He has also won the opportunity to visit Everards' Castle Acres brewery in Narborough with up to 11 friends.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be named Tiger Best Bitter's local hero," said Thurlby. "The support from the community was fantastic and I'm really grateful to every single person that took the time to vote.

"I'm 73 now and I intend to continue doing as much as I can for the community for many years to come because I love everything I do. I don't expect to win awards for it but they are a nice added bonus."

Everards Brewery marketing manager Erika Hardy said: "Patrick can truly be described as a pillar in his community and that is exactly what we were looking for. We knew pubs were the ideal hunting ground for unearthing such heroic achievers."

The competition aims to reward "unsung members of the community" for their contribution and support to local causes.