A mobile bar has won a top award from real ale connoisseurs.

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway refreshment carriage has been awarded the Pub of the Season accolade by members of Keighley and Craven Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

The bar, part of the buffet service run by the railway, is pulled daily during the summer along the five-mile track between Keighley and Oxenhope.

And like a conventional pub, it has its regulars, says Rachel Cunningham, 34, pictured, of Haworth, who works pulling pints from three hand-pumps behind the eight-feet-long bar.

"People travel on the train regularly at the weekend because they enjoy the beer so much," she said.

They are served traditional ales like Timothy Taylor's award winning beers Landlord and Golden Best.

"We are unusual because we serve from pumps. Most railway refreshment cars serve just bottles," said Rachel, a freelance book-keeper.

"It's a brilliant job - it's not like a conventional pub. People come here for a good day out. There are no miseries - just people who are jolly."

And serving from a moving bar was a knack which was easy - "once you get your sea-legs," said Rachel.

The secret to the success in keeping the ale perfectly clear on a rolling railway carriage is that the beer is decanted into special containers, said David Atkinson, joint cellarman.

"We don't put barrels on the train but pour the beer into special containers," he explained.

Fred Baker, Keighley and Craven CAMRA branch secretary, said the refreshment carriage had beaten off opposition from pubs throughout the district.

"It's a worthy winner. I've travelled on the buffet car a number of times and the beer is always bright and lively and with a good head," he said.

The award will be presented to railway representatives at Oxenhope on Sunday, July 6.

The buffet car will be out this weekend when 100 special guests will arrive to celebrate the opening of the Bahamas Museum, at Ingrow - a museum featuring Bahamas-type railstock.