Pub judges get down to drinking

Rumour has it that the Evening Standard's Pub Of The Year judges have taken to the road. Quite right; Sir Tim Rice, chairman of the bench, was caught surrounded by his fellow judges in mid session. All are burdened by the cares of high office.

You may ask why Phil Tufnell isn't bowling for England in Pakistan. Well, he's drinking for England in London. Nigella Lawson, whose new book, How To Be A Domestic Goddess, has her essential recipe for the now famous gin and tonic jelly, has been seen quaffing a few herself.

Then there's the uncharacteristically benign Al Murray. His Pub Landlord, star of stage and screen, has a prime rule: men drink pints, fruit-based drink for the lady. At his pub, soup in a basket is dish of the day.

And there's Andrew Jessop, the Evening Standard's infallible drinks correspondent.

The five judges will have a winner for us in early December and Sir Tim, fired by the Tony he has just won for Aida on Broadway, will be off on his annual marathon. This year he is walking from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Lake Windermere. "I need these walks to get over the Pub Of The Year," he says.