YOU might think you've had one too many when you spot a beach hut in the beer garden of a Colchester pub.

James Hore

YOU might think you've had one too many when you spot a beach hut in the beer garden of a Colchester pub.

But the “little bit of the seaside” at the Hospital Arms in Colchester has helped the pub win a prestigious award.

The pub, which also boasts a seaside-themed mural, won an award for its merchandising from its owner, Southwold brewer Adnams.

Ros Puffett, landlady, said she was pleasantly surprised to have won the award but revealed the mural was not to all drinkers' tastes.

She said: “It was lovely to win the award, we went up to a do in Southwold where we found out that we had won and we were really thrilled.

“The beach hut is in the garden and the mural is on the wall - it was about bringing the seaside to Colchester.

“I think it has really worked well and most people like it, although there have been one or two that don't, but you cannot please everybody.”

A spokesman for Adnams said: “Merchandising is all about creating the most appealing and interesting environment for customers and The Hospital Arms have certainly achieved this.

“One of the most surprising features is actually in the pub garden where a little bit of Southwold has come to Colchester.”