A Marlow pub scooped two national awards just days apart.

The Royal Oak, in Frieth Road, received the Gold Award in the FreeFrom Crème de la Crème category for its “cooking and recognition” of customers with food allergies, and the Gold Award for Tourism Pub of the Year in Tourism South East’s Beautiful South Awards a few days later.

The pub received the latter award for the second year in a row.

Owner David Salisbury said: “We have always wanted to make certain the pub offered the very best customer experience regardless of what guests are coming in for – be it a coffee, a full-blown dinner or a pint at the bar.

“To be recognised for still achieving this 17 years after [wife] Becky and I first opened the doors is a fantastic acknowledgement to James, our general manager, and Eddie, head chef, plus of course the entire team in the pub.

“Creating menus, which enable guests with food intolerances to enjoy the same food as friends and family at the same table, who do not have allergies, is the most obvious thing for any hospitality business to do.

“Helping those with allergies or just plain old dislikes feel welcome and safe is what hospitality is all about.”

Judges said the pub made it feel “normal” to have food allergies, adding that they were able to enjoy “fresh, quality food that just happens to be free from as well”.

They said: “A very enjoyable experience – the staff were excellent, the range of food substantial and the menu exciting.”