The Six Bells in Witham-on-the-Hill recognised by Michelin Guide with Bib Gourmand award

A village pub has been recognised with a prestigious award from the Michelin Guide.

The Six Bells in Witham-on-the-Hill is one of 20 restaurants to receive the Bib Gourmand award, which is named after Bibendum, the Michelin Man, and is given to restaurants which represent "great quality, great value cooking."

The Michelin Guide describes the Six Bells as 'bright and characterful' with smart pub cooking.

Judges complimented the 'mouth-watering rotisserie chicken', pizza from the wood-fired oven, and the atmosphere of the village pub.

Dating back to 1999, the Six Bells has a long history with the award having received it twelve times between 2004 and 2015.

James Trevor of the Six Bells said: "It's a fairly special moment.

"In the industry it is the lesser known award. The Michelin Star is complex food which is pushing boundaries whereas this is about curating more simple food people enjoy.

"Twenty businesses have been recognised with us being one of them and the nearest is in Nottingham. There are only 3,000 in the world."

James puts the win down to the comforting simplicity of the food at the Six Bells, which has remained constant with many dishes having the same recipes as they did 20 years ago.

The Bib Gourmand title is awarded annually ahead of the announcement of the new Michelin stars at a ceremony on Monday (March 27).