The Antrobus Arms, Antrobus

Value for money- excellent

Ambience - busy and bustling

Speed of service - a little on the slow side

Quality of food - More than acceptable for the price we paid.

I HAVE driven past the Antrobus Arms most days for the past 10 years on my way to and from work but until recently had never stopped there, even for a quick drink.

But I have become increasingly enticed by the notices advertising home cooked food and finally rectified the situation recently when my partner and I went there for our evening meal on a Saturday night.

Despite ringing ahead to make sure a table would be available, I was a little disconcerted to find our table for two was right next to the bar and we were surrounded by the specials boards.

I thought I was getting a little paranoid with all these people apparently staring at me until I realised they were just trying to get a peek at the chalkboard announcing that evening's vegetarian special.

Having got over the shock of being on public display, we got down to the serious business of the night - choosing our food.

I went for the avant-garde black pudding stack in melted cheese and apple sauce (£2.95) while my companion elected to have the retro-classic prawn cocktail (£3.85).

The prawn cocktail was everything you would have expected, with plenty of prawns and a generous amount of sauce but I have to confess, my starter was a little disappointing.

In theory, it should have worked as a combination but the apple sauce was just too strong and completely overpowered the cheese and black pudding.

But my main course more than made up for it. I chose the lamb shank with mash (£8.95) and it couldn't have been better. Lamb shank is one of my all time favourite meals and this one did not let me down.

The slow cooked meat simply fell off the bone. The mint-flavoured gravy was excellent and there was enough creamy mash to challenge even my healthy appetite.

My companion, who has a bird like appetite in comparison to mine, chose the hotpot which was served with chunks of fresh bread and cost just £3.95. The portion size would perhaps have been enough for me for lunch but I suspect not for my evening meal. It was just right for my partner.

We had both had ample to eat by this stage and did not even ask to see the puddings menu.

By the time we left, the pub was very busy and is obviously popular with the locals - no wonder when you can get T-bone steak with all the trimmings for £11.95 and a two course Sunday lunch for £7.95.

Their menu does have a vegetarian option - on the night we ate there it was spinach and cherry tomato suet pudding and there is also a children's menu.

Do not expect haute cuisine at the Antrobus Arms but do expect, honest, home-cooked meals at a very reasonable price.