The Ship of Fools pub has sailed to victory in the borough’s annual Best Bar None awards, being crowned overall winner in the long running council campaign.

Licensees Caroline Mackay and Catherine Canavan scooped the top prize just 12 months after finishing runners-up in the competition, with their “strong management style” praised by police for keeping crime low at the West Croydon pub.

Indie nightspot The Black Sheep Bar won its fifth accolade at the annual awards, being named best late night venue, while the ever-popular Green Dragon and the Skylark finished runners-up in the best pub contest.

Ship of Fools manager Miss Mackay, 24, said: “I took over this pub two-and-a-half years ago and there was no way I would ever have imagined it would win best bar, because of the reputation it had and the area.

“It’s an amazing achievement, but it was never a goal because I never thought it could happen.

“We were given feedback last year and really tried to follow that and improve.

“We knew that every other venue was trying to do the same, so the only way to be the best was to do absolutely everything we could.

“It’s not just me - I’ve got a strong management team behind me and I’m really pleased for all of them as well.”

More than 200 people packed in to the Croydon Hilton to discover the winners of the awards, which aim to encourage and recognise high standards in the licensed trade.

Councillor Steve O’Connell, cabinet member for community safety, said the Ship of Fools was a “great ambassador for the whole town”.

He said: “Hats off to the Ship of Fools for this win.

“This is the first pub that anyone travelling to Croydon on the new East London Line will see as they leave West Croydon station, so it’s fantastic that they have achieved recognition for having such high standards.”