The owner of an award-winning pub is flabbergasted by his success. 

The County, in Aycliffe Village, has been named North-East Dining Pub of the Year in Les Routiers' guide to the country's finest pubs and inns. 

It is the first time the organisation has published a guide specifically for pubs and it lists 450. 

Owner Andrew Brown said: "We knew we were in the guide but we had no idea we were going to be considered for any form of the award. 

"It's come right out of the blue and we're proud to receive it because we're in among some pretty impressive company." 

His success is even more satisfying as he only got into the hospitality business nine years ago after being made redundant from a furniture manufacturing firm at the age of 27. 

He was the first person to win a Raymond Blanc scholarship in 1995 and has studied with famous culinary names such as Gary Rhodes. The County was singled out by Prime Minister Tony Blair as the place to entertain French president Jacques Chirac during a summit meeting two years ago. 

Mr Brown said: "I find what I've achieved flabbergasting. I keep having to pinch myself. It just goes to show it's never too late to make a life-changing career decision." 

Other Les Routiers' awards went to the following North-East pubs. - Inn of the Year: Star Inn, Harome. Wine Pub of the Year: Angel Inn, Skipton. Hosts of the Year: Christopher and Alison Davy, Rose and Crown, Romaldkirk. Special award: Ship Inn, Alnwick.