A COUNTRY pub near Canterbury has shown that its commitment to training is more than just froth - becoming the Shepherd Neame Training Pub of the Year 2002.

The award, sponsored by the Investors in People team at Business Link Kent, rewards the Faversham-based brewery's pubs which have demonstrated the most extensive and in-depth staff training.

The judge, Business Link Kent IIP adviser, Claire Trevill, declared this year's winner as The Plough and Harrow in Bridge, which has been run since 1991 by husband and wife team Chris and Melanie Maclean.

Their dynamic and innovative approach to staff training has given the Plough and Harrow unrivalled staff retention rates in a business where employee turnover tends to be frequent and rapid.

Chris Maclean said: "We have developed a strong training programme for staff, with the aim of maximising their potential. I hire people specifically for their attitude to training and acquiring new skills and have developed a partnership ethic to really empower staff."

Claire Trevill added: "Chris is self-motivated with an innovative approach to training - involving a variety of people from all levels of the company in what he does. I was impressed by the pub's achievements and how they fitted into the broader company-wide training strategy. Chris and Melanie are real champions of training."

Graeme Endacott, Human Resources Manager at Shepherd Neame, commented: "As a company we are committed to wide ranging training to create multi-skilled staff, but that in turn demands a continuing commitment to learn from our employees.

This is the latest in a long line of awards for the Plough and Harrow, which have included entries in the Good Beer Guide every year since 1991, Shepherd Neame Cellar Master and Pub of the Year 1995, Shepherd Neame Cellar Award 1996, Shepherd Neame Cellar of the Year 1997, National Pub Promotion of the Year 2001 and National Marketing Pub of the Year 2001.