A couple from Petts Wood raised a glass after their pub won CAMRA’s pub of the year award.

Barry and Sarah Bridge run micropub One Inn the Wood, along Petts Wood Road, which was officially crowned CAMRA’s (Campaign For Real Ale) pub of the year on Monday (March 30).

The couple, who have been married for around 20 years, decided to follow their dream after working in the city.

Mr Bridge, 48, said: “I was a banker for 27 years, that’s all I’d ever done. It was a big leap to leave that world.

“We’d had enough of the rat race, a mid-life crisis I’d say, I was getting disillusioned with my old job.

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Customers raise their glass

“It was our dream to open a micropub. We discovered the concept and fell in love with it.”

The couple have lived in Petts Wood since 2001, but despite their win say they have no plans to open another watering hole.

Mr Bridge added: “It’s fantastic to win; a year ago we didn’t even have the keys to this place.

“A year ago if someone told me this was going to happen I wouldn’t have believed them.

“It’s amazing, we’re so proud.”

Mrs Bridge, 43, added: “It’s such an achievement for us; we’ve never done anything like this before.

“The customers really make this place.”

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Grace Goodlad, from CAMRA, said: “It’s quite a prestigious award and they’ve won it out of the whole of Bromley.

“They go back to how pubs used to be; a bit smaller, no fruit machines or TV, a limited but delicious menu. It’s more about community.”

One Inn the Wood, after winning the Bromley region, is now entered into the London wide category and could go on to the south east region if they are victorious.