A LANDLORD is cracking open the bubbly after beer lovers picked his pub as one of the country's best.

Ken Ormrod said he was overjoyed The Musketeer was judged to be Greater Manchester's best in a poll by the Campaign For Real Ale (Camra).The pub's delights will now be entered in the Good Beer Guide 2006, which lists the best places in Britain to eat and drink.

Mr Ormrod, whose pub is in Lord Street, Leigh, said: "It really is fantastic news. When Camra come to test pubs they don't let you know.

"That's the beauty of it, your standards always have to be high.

"And the Good Beer Guide really does provide an excellent guide of where to drink."

Mr Ormrod, who has managed the popular pub for 16 months, said attention to detail is essential.

"Everything is important, even how you store the beer and clean the pipes."