A ST Albans venue has been named Live Music Pub of the Year in a national awards ceremony.

The Horn in Victoria Street, St Albans, was handed the accolade at the Great British Pub Awards last night.

The venue sailed through the regional heats, and went on to triumph over seven other pubs from across the country to win the national title.

Pub owner Adrian Bell was presented with the award along with his promotions manager, Hansi Koppe, at a ceremony in London's Hilton Hotel in Park Lane.

He said: "We just leapt out of our seats and hugged each other.

"We were pretty ecstatic as it's been quite a hard year with the recession.

"It's only the hard work of everyone at the pub that keeps it going and makes it successful."

The pub has been a platform for a number of music acts such as the Subways, from Welwyn Garden City, and St Albans bands Enter Shikari and Friendly Fires. The latter chose the venue for an after show party following a sell-out gig in the Alban Arena last Thursday.

The accolade is among several won by The Horn. Last year's ceremony saw the pub crowned Best Entertainment Pub of the Year, and it has been named Best Music Pub in another national contest.