A KEIGHLEY-district pub has seen off competition from more than 1,100 others across the country to win a coveted award.

The Malt, in Wilsden Road, Harden, was named Pub with the Best Outdoor Area in the awards run by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars.

The Malt was taken over just a year ago by local pub operator, Neil Pickles. He has been working on restoring the premises to its former glory with a £375,000 refurbishment of the pub inside and out.

Judges were impressed by Neil’s achievement in transforming the garden from an overgrown field covered with bushes and unpruned trees into a beautiful space which has proved highly popular with customers on sunny days.

The three quarter acre site, which is a former bowling green, was previously hidden from view, with many village residents unaware it even existed.

The awards judges noted how Neil’s painstaking work had changed it into an asset and a facility that the whole community can use and enjoy.

Chris Jowsey, trading director for Star Pubs & Bars, said: “Bushes have been cleared, trees pruned, the garden levelled and reseeded, new flower beds put in and a patio laid down.

"Neil has thought through every detail to make the Malt’s garden a really special and welcoming place.

"As well as providing seating for 220 people, there’s even a tethering post and drinking trough for horses, water bowls for dogs and bike racks for cyclists."

Neil received the coveted award at a gala celebration night. The accolade was presented by football legend and broadcaster Chris Kamara.

Neil said: “It’s fantastic and a great reward for a lot of hard work. As a local person, I wanted to create something for the community and I hope the new garden at the Malt has done that.”

He added that he would be hosting a Christmas market in the garden, and is also hoping to use it for more community events during 2015.

He said he would be starting work on expanding the pub's kitchen in the New Year to keep up with demand from customers who will use the garden next summer.