IT’S the award-winning country pub where the landlord is enjoying his second spell in charge.

The White Horse at Netley Marsh is run by Paul Hingston and his daughter Sophie, who have been there for almost five years.

Paul, 63, has been in the licensing trade for more than three decades and has run several pubs in the New Forest area.

He ran the White Horse for three years from 2002, returning in 2014 after the pub had been closed for several months.

“I came back four-and-a-half years ago and turned it back into a traditional community pub,” he said.

“It’s been successful over that period and has built up a good reputation for food. We’re not bistro, we’re not fancy, we’re just somewhere that offers good pub grub.”

The pub has been awarded a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence each year since 2016.

Situated at the junction of Ringwood Road and Woodlands Road, the White Horse is home to Bartley Cricket Club.

It organises days out to events such as Goodwood Races as well as staging a weekly quiz night and several themed-nights throughout the year.

Paul added: “It’s not really a destination pub, it’s more for locals, but we do get a large number of people visiting us from far and wide.”

The vast majority of customers come from Woodlands, Netley Marsh and West Totton.

However, two Eurojumbles held in the parish every year often result in villagers rubbing shoulders with visitors from countries such as Germany and Holland.

The Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Fair and the annual village carnival also provide vital spin-off trade for the pub.

Its garden guarantees that customers have a front row seat when the carnival procession makes its way from Woodlands to St Matthew’s Church.

The bar boasts a signed photograph of Matt Le Tissier playing in the final fixture held at Saints’ former home, The Dell.