A husband and wife who run a hotel and restaurant in Halesworth are over the moon after scooping the main £10k in a prize draw.

Tyler and Pauline Torrance of The Boarding House took part in Southwold brewers Adnams' 'Stuff of Legend' competition over the summer, which is aimed at its "on-trade" - or hospitality - customers.

The sum can be spent in any way by the winners. Tyler and Paul - who took on the hotel in in 2017 and are trying to cope with the huge economic challenges faced by the industry - are looking at upgrading their garden space with their winnings.

“We are utterly ecstatic to hear that we’ve won such a great prize," said Tyler.

“We were really keen to be involved in the brewery’s ‘Stuff of Legend’ summer campaign, and there had been some great smaller prizes handed out, including things like theatre tickets.

“Not for one minute did we think we would take the big prize, but now that we have, we’re busy thinking what we’ll use it for, as we’ve already been talking about ideas for our hotel and restaurant in 2024.”

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Tyler added: “We are possibly looking to develop the garden. We didn't really push it much this year, just because we kept things focused. We are front of house, and a husband-and-wife team.

“Things are really small and it's just enough for us manage by ourselves with our small intimate team. With the ups and downs of the economy, we took the view to be very conservative.

“We are looking at next year to open up and expand again.”

Adnams chief executive Andy Wood phoned the couple to congratulate them on their win.

“I was very pleased to see The Stuff of Legends campaign capturing the imagination of so many of our customers in both the on and off-trade (retailers)," he said.

"This prize relates specifically to the on-trade and I am delighted to see it won by a relatively small business with enthusiastic entrepreneurial owners who deliver a great service for their customers and the community.

“It is an amazing prize and they are free to spend it as they wish.”

The Stuff of Legend promotional campaign celebrated getting out and about and enjoying the summer with Adnams' Ghost Ship beer.  The trade competition was open to pubs, bars, hotels, restaurants and other stockists nationwide.

The pubs and brewery company gave away hundreds of trade prizes over the summer in its weekly prize draws including Soho Theatre Tickets, pub games, bar blades, Stuff of Legend t-shirts and special in-venue events with Adnams’ brewers.