LICENSEES Andy Jones and Dolores Fallon say a new listing for their pub underlines the important role it plays in village life.

Andy and Dolores run The Lion Hotel in Moulton, which supports a wide range of community activities and was voted CAMRA North Cheshire Pub of the Year for 2015.

The pub has been listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) by Cheshire West and Chester Council following a request by the North Cheshire branch of CAMRA, supported by Moulton Parish Council.

The aim of the ACV is to protect the pub from possible change of use or demolition.

If a pub is registered as such its owners must tell the local authority if they want to sell it. If a group wants to buy the pub it can trigger a moratorium for six months to give it a chance to raise the money to buy it.

Rupert Adams, secretary of North Cheshire CAMRA, said: “This is excellent news for Moulton, where the pub plays a vital role in village life. The Lion is truly a hub of the community.

“The listing recognises that the pub not only serves consistently good quality beers, but also plays a key role in the community.”

Andy Jones said: “Dolores and l are delighted The Lion has received ACV status, underlining the important part it plays in village life.

“We look forward to the future with the continued support of our fabulous customers. We would like to thank the North Cheshire CAMRA branch for their recognition of the work we do and also our staff, who work so hard to make The Lion a continued success.”

Moulton Drama Group puts on regular plays at the community hall opposite the pub, and meet at the pub. At the times of performances the pub hosts pre and after event refreshments - with beers themed to the plays.

Vale Royal and Shaft Pit Fishing Clubs hold their meetings there, the Beavers meet regularly at the pub, and Friends of St Stephens ‘Church in the Pub’ hold monthly meetings there.

The Moulton Crows use the Lion Hotel to meet, and the pub participates in the local scarecrow competition.

The pub hosts themed event nights, regular gigs and music events for local performers, a weekly pub quiz raises funds for charity, the pub's charity is the Moulton Adventure Group, and it provides teas for christenings and funerals.