A SOUTH Somerset pub is among a shortlist of 10 to feature on the cover of a prestigious publication.

A shot of the Candlelight Inn, in Bishopswood, is among the finalists to appear on the cover of the 2021 Good Pub Guide.

Their submission features Beau, the pub’s Irish Setter, who is also the namesake of the pub’s homemade artisan gin which is very popular with customers and is their best-selling gin out of a huge collection.

The award-winning pub battled it out against the Good Pub Guide’s members and contacts to reach the final 10, with the winner set to be announced soon.

“For us, this is a huge accolade to reach the final stages. Even if we don’t win this fantastic competition, we are absolutely delighted to be recognised," said Mike Rose, owner of The Candlelight.

He said the announcement was a welcome piece of good news amid the coronavirus crisis, which has seen the inn close.

"It is especially important for all pubs across the UK to receive recognition like this as there has been so much uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic," Mike said.

"We are remaining positive and working hard to make sure we can re open our doors when all of this is over and everyone is safe and healthy again."

The Candlelight temporarily shut its doors in March after advice from the Government to all pubs and restaurants, but they have continued to keep the community together by offering take-away services and fresh bread deliveries at the start of the crisis.

They now are working with other local pubs to bring customers a free Facebook live Quiz night every Wednesday throughout April.

Mike added: “We may not be able to serve our customers in reality for a while, but we know that some of our customers are finding the isolation period difficult.

"We feel we have a duty to support our community and we will continue to try and provide help and entertainment as much as we can throughout this period and we are very much looking forward to welcoming customers old and new to The Candlelight Inn when we re-open.”

The full shortlist of 10 pubs is:

The Churchill Arms, Kensington

Chard & Ilminster News:

The Coach & Horses, Soho

Chard & Ilminster News:

The Hollybush, Hampstead

Chard & Ilminster News:

The Half Moon, Herne Hill

Chard & Ilminster News:

The Head of the River, Oxford

Chard & Ilminster News:

The Hind's Head, Aldermaston

Chard & Ilminster News:

The Mill, Elstead

Chard & Ilminster News:

The Ship, Langstone

Chard & Ilminster News:

The White Buck, Burley

Chard & Ilminster News:

The Candlelight Inn, Bishopswood

Chard & Ilminster News:

The Good Pub Guide is a long-running publication which lists and rates public houses across the United Kingdom.

It contains more than 5,000 pubs and their website contains a list of 55,000 pubs.

The finalists and eventually the winner of the 2021 cover competition will be announced on The Good Pub Guide website www.thegoodpubguide.co.uk.