Top eight pubs in capital named

AN EAST END haunt popular with famous people and a Fleet Street drinking den are among those on a shortlist to be named London's best pub.

The 350-year-old George Tavern in Stepney, the Punch Tavern and eight others are competing for the prize.

Judges in the Love Your Local campaign chose them from hundreds of pubs across London.

Stars including Kate Moss and Amy Winehouse were among those drawn to the George Tavern's quirky decor and relaxed atmosphere.

The Punch Tavern is said to be the birthplace of satirical magazine Punch.

Others in the running are the Nightingale in Balham, the Churchill Arms in Kensington, the Triangle in Crouch End, the George in Isle of Dogs, the Mall Tavern in Notting Hill, the Old Red Lion Theatre in Islington, the Brewery Tap in Wimbledon, and the Brown Dog in Barnes.

The winning hostelry will get £8,500 and be crowned the "best-loved local" in London. Three runners up will each receive a £8,000.

The panel of judges includes Standard food critic Charles Campion and managing editor of The Publican magazine, Daniel Pearce.

The panel will decide the winner and three runners-up later this month.