STAFF at a Pool-in-Wharfedale pub were celebrating this week after getting the 'thumbs up' from BBC television food detectives.

The White Hart pub, on Arthington Lane, came out top in the programme Food and Drink which was investigating the quality of eating out in pub restaurants.

And their findings, which were screened on Monday night, put the White Hart and its owners, Vintage Inns, firmly at the top of the four national chains they visited.

The programme sent its judges under cover and using a tiny hidden camera in the cameraman's glasses, their mission was to mark the pub restaurants for quality of food, speed of service and value of money.

They were impressed by the choice of wines they found and the cameraman specifically 'loved his cheddar mash'. Full marks were also given to the chicken breast with bacon and the stilton and chestnut bake.

Final scores put the White Hart out in front with 25 points out of a possible 30. Its nearest rival scored 21.

David Britland, White Hart landlord, said: "I am delighted that the detectives enjoyed their meal so much. We share a passion for great food and service across Vintage Inns nationwide and this was clearly demonstrated in the programme.

"They really liked the atmosphere in the pub and described it as 'olde worlde English'. As a collection of pubs we have worked very hard to achieve these standards."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.