THE Castle Inn at Bungay has been listed in the 2010 Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide, just two years after the new owners took over.The guide, for which businesses have to be selected by independent judges, lists 573 pubs in the UK and Ireland in the new edition.

THE Castle Inn at Bungay has been listed in the 2010 Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide, just two years after the new owners took over.

The guide, for which businesses have to be selected by independent judges, lists 573 pubs in the UK and Ireland in the new edition. And to be picked is a tremendous achievement for young owners Mark Hougham and Tanya Martin, particularly as the only other local pub in the guide is the Queen's Head at Bramfield - which has been listed for the past seven years.

Tanya said the listing was a huge compliment to their work. “It's very well regarded because, unlike the AA guide and Visit England, you don't arrange them to come to you: they come to you through recommendations,” she added. “We imagine that some customers have been in touch with them.”

Tanya and Mark, who were married last month after nine years together, took over in 2007. Since then the pub has gone from strength to strength, and Mark's talents as head chef were recognised earlier this year when he appeared on the TV show, Market Kitchen.

In the Michelin guide their food is described as “country-based, fresh, simple and seasonal”, while the building is praised for its cosy interior.

And Tanya said they had already benefited from being featured, with one couple on a trip around Suffolk going out of their way to stay at the Castle since they had found it in the guide.

She added that it could only be good for the town.

“I don't think Bungay gets enough attention,” she said. “There are a lot of great things, and we see ourselves as part of that. There's lots of independent shops, lots of history.”

At the Queen's Head at Bramfield, Amanda Corcoran, who has run the pub with husband Mark for the past 12 years, said she was pleased to have their consistency recognised.

For more information on the Castle visit www.thecastleinn.net. For the Queen's Head, visit www.queensheadbramfield.co.uk