A PUB threatened with closure in January this year has been crowned the Vale of Glamorgan’s Parliamentary Pub of the Year 2019.

Weeks after securing its future as a pub, the Master Mariner, in Skomer Road, Gibbonsdown, Barry, secured the accolade – fending off competition from other Vale pubs.

Vale MP Alun Cairns held his annual competition amongst local pubs, with the winner decided by a public vote in which hundreds of pub goers voted for their favourite pub.

The criterion for the competition is Best at What They Do, which could include offering quality food, their range of beer, music, providing a community hub or a top attraction for tourists.

In the case of the Master Mariner, it demonstrated its qualities as a true community pub.

This was evident in the huge number of votes it secured in the competition from locals.

Mum-of-two Abby Germon, who campaigned to keep the pub open, said: “Thank you to everyone who voted.

“After the past year with the news of the closure and how we as a community fought for it to stay open it brings us so much joy to think people still believe in the place and the people.

“I can't explain how happy I am.”

She added: “Everyone is so happy with all the recent news about the pub.

“This just topped it off for us.”

The Master Mariner will now go forward as Mr Cairns’ Vale nomination for the national UK competition, with the overall winner presented with an award at the House of Commons.

Mr Cairns said: “I am delighted that the Master Mariner has won the Parliamentary Pub of the Year award.

“They thoroughly deserve it after the huge community effort to save the pub this year.

“The Master Mariner represents what it is to truly be a pub for the local community and it’s clear to see the how strongly I want to pay tribute to Helen, Abby and everyone else involved with the Master Mariner.

“Helen has done an excellent job during her time managing the pub and Abby has been such a passionate supporter of the pub, as demonstrated through her rallying for votes in my competition!”