The Rose and Crown has been awarded the Festive Pub of the Year 2016 after mystery drinkers visited the best decorated pubs to decide on a winner.

The pub, in St Michael’s Street, impressed today with its stunningly decorated wood panels and Santa’s grotto in the back of the building.

Now in its eight year, the Festive Pub of the Year is organised and judged by the Review, St Albans District Council, St Albans Civic Society and St Albans Chamber of Commerce.

Staff member of The Rose and Crown Carrie Fitzgerald said: “I think it is great that we have won Festive Pub of the Year 2016.

“I did not know anything about the competition. Our landlord Nigel Wild decorated the pub.”

The runner up was Dylans The Kings Arms in George Street, which is run by the same family who own last year’s winner The Boot, in Market Street.

Other pubs judge were The Mermaid and The Jolly Sailor.

The Village Arcade in High Street was awarded Festive Window of the Year.

The beautifully decorated walkway was by far one of the best decorated within the city. The runner up was White Mint, in Holywell Hill.

The window display had different figures associated with winter and Christmas for shoppers to look at.