CELEBRATIONS are in full swing at a North Yorkshire hostelry after it was named England’s Pub Of The Year at the 2010 AA Hospitality Awards.

Tom, Anne, James and Tommy Banks, family owners of The Black Swan, at Oldstead – on the south-western boundary of the North York Moors between Kilburn and Byland Abbey – picked up the accolade in front of more than 700 people at a ceremony at the London Hilton, in Park Lane.

The pub enjoys spectacular views and offers open fires, a traditional bar and restaurant and guest accommodation.

Giovanna Grossi, group area manager for AA Hotel Services, said: “We selected The Black Swan as AA Pub Of The Year for England because this family-run pub has real character.

“Top-notch inn-keeping, great food, real ales and beautifully appointed accommodation, make this a real destination pub worthy of a detour.”

In a statement, the Banks family said: “We are all absolutely delighted. It’s a really tremendous thing for us to be named AA Pub Of The Year. It’s such a prestigious award – we can hardly believe it.”