TWO pubs in Melksham and Devizes have been voted among the top ten most dog-friendly watering holes in the country.

They are the White Hart at Atworth and the Fox & Hounds on the A342 Nursteed Road at Devizes.

The Dog-friendly Pub Awards, run by Rover.com, the world’s largest network of pet sitters and dog walkers, celebrates pubs with dog-friendly initiatives and encourages pubs across the country to welcome four legs as well as two.

Nathan Cortilla, 36, who runs the White Hart with his wife, Kirsty, 35, said: "We are really pleased to have been named among the Top Ten. We are a very dog friendly pub.

"There are lots of walks around here for people and we supply dog treats and water if they come in with their dogs."

The couple, who have been at the pub for 11 years, have their own dog, Ralph, a Bichon Shih Tzu.

Earlier this year, the pub hosted its first fun dog show with the Bowerhill Barkers to raise funds for Guide Dogs.

The Fox & Hounds in Devizes was "delighted" with its top four finish in the South West regional table.

Licensee Deborah Noakes, 51, who runs the pub with her partner Justin Finning, said: "It's fantastic to be in the top four.

"It's a massive honour against stiff competition and we are grateful to everyone who voted for us. We're always pleased to see our doggy customers for Sunday lunch and evening meals."

The pub lays on a dog menu at lunchtimes, with a choice of bangers and mash or chicken and vegetables for pets.

The Fox & Hounds also has four Great Danes, Loki, Luna, Elmo and Moomin.

This year's South West winner was the Ship Inn in Teignmouth which fought off fierce competition from over 335 dog-friendly watering holes across the region. The pub held on to the top spot after accumulating the most votes.

Simon Le Grice from Rover said: “The South West has a fantastic array of dog-friendly pubs for locals to choose from. It’s been wonderful to see so many of them represented in this year’s awards.

“The superb service they demonstrated shows a real consideration for dog welfare and happiness, which we at Rover value above all.

"The whole Rover pack is proud to congratulate The Ship Inn on winning the Dog-friendly Pub Award for the South West and hopes that the awards will inspire dog owners country-wide to discover and support their local pubs, while also encouraging more pubs to consider our two-legged friends in their offerings.”

The South West Top 10:

1. The Ship Inn, Teignmouth

2. The Halzephron Inn, Gunwalloe

3. The Swan Inn, Sidmouth

4. The Fox and Hounds, Devizes

5. Henry’s Bar, Paignton

6. The Royal Oak, Exeter

7. The White Hart, Melksham

8. The Blue Anchor, Teignmouth

9. The Mason’s Arms, Yeovil

10. The Royal Oak Hotel, Yeovil

To find a local dog-friendly pub go to pubs.rover.com.