A SUFFOLK pub will soon have to make room on the mantelpiece for its growing number of accolades.

Ufford’s White Lion Inn has celebrated winning its third award in recent months after picking up a plaque from a national organisation with Royal approval.

Having already been named Community Pub of the Year at the EADT Food and Drinks Awards, and included in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide 2013, owners Stephen and Gaynor Thurlow are now the proud recipients of a plaque from the Pub is the Hub project.

Initiated by HRH the Prince of Wales in 2001, the not-for-profit organisation is dedicated to promoting the importance of conserving rural pubs as the heart of their communities.

Mr and Mrs Thurlow, who have been in charge since 2003, ascribe recent successes to their appetite for variety, not just behind the bar and in the kitchen. Mr Thurlow said: “We continuously strive to diversify in the services and products that we provide to our new and old customers.”

Event and activities already hosted and planned by the White Lion include games nights, beer festivals, a sports day, and even the traditional Suffolk pursuit of dwile flonking.

A Bentley and vintage car rally is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, as well as a host of celebrations leading up the Thurlows’ tenth year in charge - culminating in a fireworks spectacular on November 5.

John Longden, chief executive for Pub is The Hub, said: “We were keen to celebrate the work of our unsung community heroes with a small public token to mark each diversification project.

“We know that the plaque will be displayed with pride at the White Lion and hope that it will be recognised by pub visitors as a sign that the pub is firmly the hub of its community.”

To find out more about The White Lion, visit uffordwhitelion.co.uk.