A CLUTCH of the county's best pubs have been honoured with inclusion in the Good Beer Guide.

The new edition of the book includes three new entries from the Oxford branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which produces the publication.

The Chester in Chester Street, off Iffley Road, Oxford; the White Rabbit in Friars Entry, in the city centre, and The Red Lion in Northmoor, near Witney, have found a place in the guide for the first time.

Another 14 pubs, including the Lamb and Flag in St Giles and the Rose and Crown in North Parade were included again.

The Red Lion re-opened as a community pub in May 2014 after being bought from brewery Greene King by a group of villagers.

Since then it has been a roaring success and Graham Shelton, chairman of Northmoor Lion Limited, which runs the pub, said he was delighted it had been included in the guide.

He said: "A proper pub is defined by its beer so getting the accolade of being in the beer guide is really important.

"Our journey since May 2014 has been fantastic.

"The pub was really on its last legs, the landlord and landlady were trying hard but it could not be done under the yoke of Greene King.

"It looked like we would not have a pub any more, and we met and thought about what we were going to do – and decided to buy the pub ourselves."

The pub has also won recognition from the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs guide and Cotswold Life.

Mr Shelton said: "We have now got 15 employees at the Red Lion.

"I care about what our community will be like in the future. We need employment and this was a bit of a side effect. That we have created 15 additional jobs is wonderful."

The Chester and the White Rabbit – formerly known as the Gloucester Arms – have also both changed hands in recent years.

The latter is known for serving fresh pizzas alongside a range of beers.

Oxford branch spokesman for CAMRA Dave Richardson said: "It is great to see these three pubs listed for the first time, and also good to see pubs such as the Lamb and Flag or Rose and Crown in Oxford, and the Brewery Tap in Abingdon, listed in the guide year after year.

"It is particularly heart-warming to see the Red Lion in Northmoor being listed, as this village nearly lost its last pub and CAMRA sees community ownership as the future for many rural hostelries.

"The Chester was closed for a long time, but has been revived by new tenants with a focus on fine ales and food, much appreciated by the local community.

"All three of our newly listed pubs have worked hard to provide what only a pub can do best – providing great traditional ale and atmosphere."