A PUBLIC house once labelled with one of the worst reputations in Medway has been awarded a top national prize. The remarkable turnaround of The Bounty in Strood was cemented when it won the prestigious Community Pub of the Year Award at the Unique Pub Co Retailer National Awards 2001.

Sanjay Raval, director of Veena Leisure which owns the pub in Bligh Way, says the achievement is due to his managers Stuart and Sue Smith. He said: "Stuart and Sue have done extremely well in the short space of time they have been here. They have made such an impact with the customers who make up the community.

"The pub used to have quite a bad reputation but that's completely changed so it's a celebration for all parties."

Sue and Stuart have managed the pub for almost a year and they believe the secret of their success is making it into a more family orientated place. Stuart said: "It's very much a family pub where people can bring their kids. It has a big age range, from very old to very young and everyone mixes together.

"I've got a little daughter and me and Sue are down here all the time making it a real family atmosphere

"It did have a bad reputation when we came and people didn't want to use the pub because they thought something was going to happen - but that's all changed now."

Stuart and Sue plan plan to put their £1,000 prize money back into the community. Stuart said: "At the end of the day these are the people who have helped us get the £1,000.

So we're hoping to put the money towards getting a new minibus so we can take people out on trips and the kids to pantomimes and the circus."