Famed for hanging hops, serving historic local ales and beamed ceilings, the nation has long had a love affair with Kent pubs.

It is little surprise then that the latest edition of the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs guide features eight new additions from the county – more than any other county, outside London.

It means Kent has 19 boozers in the guide overall, which lists nearly 600 pubs across the UK and Ireland, with several “inspectors’ favourites” featured.

It was the west of the county which impressed judges most, with six of the new entries found west of Maidstone.

These were Bidborough’s Kentish Hare, Goudhurst’s The Vine, Matfield’s Wheelwrights Arms, Penshurst’s Leicester Arms and Sissinghurst’s The Milk House and Wrotham’s The Bull.

Also in the guide, near Maidstone, is Hollingbourne’s The Windmill.

In the east, only the Crown Inn based at Stone in Oxney near the edge of Romney Marsh joined the list. There were 70 new entries overall.

However the east is well-represented by long-running guide members The Sportsmen at Seasalter, the Pearson’s Arms at Whitstable and The Dove Inn in Dargate.

Guide editor Rebecca Burr said: “It’s indicative of the scene over in Kent.

“The locals like good food and good pubs. To find eight new additions is incredible.

“Getting in the guide is all about cooking, good ingredients and great value for money. We are also looking for a good wecloming atmosphere and a clean property.

“These days it is survival of the fittest and we are getting more demanding because we cook better at home. We are much more informed about food.

“So when we go out and spend our hard earned money we want it to be even better than what we produce at home. The standard in Kent is terrific and several are our inspectors’ favourte.”