REAL ale fans in Tendring are happier after two new pubs made it into the official beer-lovers' bible.

Clacton's Moon and Starfish and the Haywain at Little Bromley have been included in the Good Beer Guide for the first time this year.

The book is put together by the Campaign for Real Ale and lists the UK's best watering holes for traditional pints.

Ten Tendring pubs have made it into the 2009 edition, including the Royal Fusilier at Aingers Green and Bradfield's Village Maid, which are back in the guide this year after new landlords took over.

The Appletree in Little Clacton, Weeley's White Hart, the Cross Inn and Snooty Fox at Great Bromley, Harwich's New Bell Inn and Brightlingsea's Railway Tavern all kept their places in the guide.

CAMRA spokesman Mike Harvey used to teach current Royal Fusilier landlady Liz Bennet when she was a girl.

"The most important thing about the Haywain and Royal Fusilier being first-time entries is it shows that those who drink in this area are very discerning," he said.

The Haywain bucked the trend for pub closures by reopening in December 2007 after being shut for several years.

Mr Harvey said: "It's one of CAMRA's favourite pubs. It was closed for many years and was reopened by the current landlord so that's really great."