It was cheers all round after Real Ale Ltd was named independent beer retailer of the year.

The Twickenham company was rewarded for its commitment to championing beer and making it the core element in the success of the business in the past year.

The awards ceremony took place at the Drinks Retailing Awards in the Dorchester hotel on February 5 Real Ale’s managing director Nick Dolan said: “We are delighted to win this award, and to be recognised by the industry.

“All of our dedicated team have worked hard this year to develop and expand our store, and this award is a fantastic reflection and achievement of this.”

Realale.com was established in 2005, in Twickenham, aiming to support British microbreweries and to make more people aware of the wide range of real ales out there.