TWO Walthamstow pubs have received awards from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Ye Olde Rose & Crown, in Hoe Street, and the Nags Head, in Orford Road, were both finalists in the whole of East London & City area in a ‘Best Real Ale’ contest that judges the quality and range of beers and ales served.

The historic but struggling Ye Olde Rose & Crown was taken over by a group of friends with no experience of running pubs, and within 15 months they have turned it into a thriving community pub, offering music nights and live theatre.

Joanna Barrett Constantinou and Aaron Clingham run the cellar and were befriended by Dick Dyche, a local CAMRA member and pub regular, who taught them all bout real ale. Starting with a single pump, they now often have five or six at one time.

Joanna said: “I would like to thank the local community and local CAMRA for all the support. We could not have done it without you.”

The Nags Head pub, which serves five real ales and has a beer festival planned for October, also scooped an award.

Landlord Roger Carter, has previously won CAMRA awards for the Nags Head but said he was “over the moon” to be runner up for the Best Real Ale award.

He said: “Ales have been picking up momentum over the last few years.

“I used to be a lager drinker but there are so many chemicals in it and people are more aware of what they are putting in themselves. But beer is a natural product and less harmful.”

The winner of the East London & City Best Real Ale award was The Dispensary in Aldgate.