A seaside pub has been handed a prestigious national award for its dedication to dogs.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lacon Arms in Hemsby which has been voted the best dog friendly pub in the country as part of a Kennel Club Campiagn.Suri at the bar.Picture: James BassThe Lacon Arms in Hemsby which has been voted the best dog friendly pub in the country as part of a Kennel Club Campiagn.Suri at the bar.Picture: James Bass (Image: (C) Archant Norfolk 2014)

The Lacon Arms in Hemsby was named the most dog-friendly pub in the Kennel Club's Be Dog Friendly Awards after being tipped for the accolade by visitors and customers.

The competition is based solely on public vote and aims to break down barriers for man's best friend by encouraging more businesses to adopt a dog friendly policy.

Nominations poured in from all over the country for the most welcoming dog friendly businesses, towns, and public places - and staff at the Lacon Arms are delighted to have been given the paw of approval.

Landlady Lorna Bevan Thompson said: 'We bought the pub nearly six years ago and have always been both dog and family friendly.

Eastern Daily Press: The Lacon Arms in Hemsby which has been voted the best dog friendly pub in the country as part of a Kennel Club Campiagn.Regular Ben Beddall with his dog Gavin.Picture: James BassThe Lacon Arms in Hemsby which has been voted the best dog friendly pub in the country as part of a Kennel Club Campiagn.Regular Ben Beddall with his dog Gavin.Picture: James Bass (Image: (C) Archant Norfolk 2014)

'Hemsby is a unique family resort with many families returning year after year, and dogs are just as big as part of families as the children.

'We allow dogs on leads into our pub and also into our play garden. Dogs are very important to family life and we like to welcome them here. Sometimes we have more dogs than people!

'We also have a pub dog named Zuri, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and she is very popular with our customers.'

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, added: 'We are so pleased for the Lacon Arms. It is great the pub is being so proactive in helping us break down barriers for our four-legged friends.

'The Lacon Arms is a wonderful example of the many businesses and public places that have already adopted a dog-friendly policy and are reaping the benefits of welcoming dogs.'

Other categories included best dog-friendly beach, cafe, hotel, high street and town. All the winners were presented with their awards at the Kennel Club's Discover Dogs event at Earls Court in London on Sunday.