A PUB where cross-dressers drink alongside plumbers and plasterers has beaten hundreds of rivals to scoop a national prize.

Publicans Laurie and Dawn Page won recognition from their brewery for transforming the once-notorious Blue Boar Hotel, in Kendall Road, New Town, Colchester, into the Pink Panther.

After moving to the pub last year from the nearby Artilleryman, the pair decided a complete revamp was needed to shake off its reputation as a magnet for drugs and violence.

They made a bid to draw in nearby residents of all ages and backgrounds by serving morning coffee and staging events like salsa dancing classes and Nintendo Wii boxing tournaments.

They also put out the word to gay, lesbian and "transgender" friends to let them know they were welcome.

Seven months down the line, brewer Admiral Taverns has picked the couple as winners of its prestigious achievement award, from a field of 2,000 landlords in the pubs it owns across Britain.