When you want to buy a round for your hounds, a pub in Nottingham leads the pack – having just been awarded Britain’s best dog-friendly pub.

It comes as a survey reveals three in five owners wish all public houses were suitable for their mutt.

The appropriately named Ella Wolfenden, The Lion at Basford’s landlady, said of the prize: “We’ve always rolled out the red carpet for canine customers, from doggy ice cream to a first aid kit behind the bar.

“We’ve created an environment where dogs can socialise, eat, drink and enjoy the pub just like their owners. 

“We’re extremely proud to see how much the dogs love it here.” The award was presented to the venue by Rover, an online pet care marketplace.

Adem Fehmi, its canine behaviourist, said: “Our 11 tavern-testing pet owners have been busy surveying pubs across the nation.

“As it scored extremely highly on factors such as doggy amenities, hospitality and dog-friendly policies, we’re delighted that The Lion at Basford has been recognised for their efforts in making their pub a wonderfully welcome place for canine friends to visit.”

Neighbouring pub The Burnt Stump in Arnold, along with the West End Bar in Pittenweem, Fife, and The Punch House in Monmouth, came highly commended.

Other regional pup pleasers were: The Chequers, Stevenage; The British Oak, Birmingham; The Spindle & Thread, High Wycombe; The Dog and Gun, Knayton, North Yorks; The Keel Row, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland; The Hope & Anchor, Bristol; The Maltings, Warrington; and Lord Palmerston, Tufnell Park, north London.

Meanwhile, in a poll, seven in 10 regulars said four-legged friends make great ice-breakers with fellow drinkers – and three in five believe they make better company than children in the boozer.