ENTRIES keep coming in for the Evesham Journal's Pub of the Year, which aims to find the town's favourite watering hole.

Our Pub of the Year contest sees readers voting for their favourite with the overall winner receiving a coveted trophy and an invite to the Houses of Parliament by the town's MP Nigel Huddleston.

One of the pubs that has been receiving votes is, as one nominee described it, the "hidden gem" the Red Lion.

The pub, in Market Place, has a fascinating history dating back to the 1700s, but originally closed as a boozer in the 1910s.

For decades it was a series of shops, including a shoe shop and an electrical retailer.

But in 2014 it was taken over by married couple Glenda and Gerald Harvey, who reopened it as a pub.

Mrs Harvey said: "We converted from the shop back into a pub.

"It is an ongoing project.

"We are a really old fashioned pub.

"It is excellent to have been nominated by people.

"It is great for our staff, and our brilliant manager Rachel Wood."

During refurbishment work an old fireplace that had been bricked up was found, and put back in use.

Mrs Harvey added they were known for their real ales, which come from their own brewery.

The pub is inviting people to join them to celebrate the pub's 290th birthday being held on Saturday, November 17.

People are being encouraged to come along in fancy dress throughout the day, with the theme "fashion through the ages", and enjoy live music on the day.

Voting for the Pub of the Year award closes on November 30, so use the slip in this week's Journal to name your favourite pub and tell us why it deserves to win. Anyone can vote, whether a member of staff or a loyal customer, but we’ll only accept slips from the newspaper as votes, not photocopies.

Evesham Journal editor Michael Purton said: "There are some brilliant pubs in the area and we want to highlight their hard work and high standards."

The winner will be announced in the newspaper and on our website on Thursday, December 6. If you’d like your pub to be featured in the Journal for the competition email michael.purton@ newsquest.co.uk.