WELL-RUN pubs in Hampstead and Camden Town are few and far between if the council's latest awards scheme is anything to go by. On Wednesday at the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel the council will roll out the red carpet for its Best Bar None awards.

WELL-RUN pubs in Hampstead and Camden Town are few and far between if the council's latest awards scheme is anything to go by.

On Wednesday at the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel the council will roll out the red carpet for its Best Bar None awards.

But some famous watering holes from Hampstead, including the Holly Bush on Holly Mount (pictured) The Adelaide, on Adelaide Road and Camden Town's iconic pub The Good Mixer, failed to make the shortlist.

In fact, none of the five establishments in the Best Pub category is any further north than Euston Road.

The five pubs on the shortlist are The Penderels Oak in High Holborn, The Old Crown on New Oxford Street, The Euston Flyer on Euston Road, Newton Arms on Newton Street and Knights Templar on Chancery Lane.

General manager of The Adelaide Aoife Van Linden Tol said: "It was the first time we entered into this competition and whey they came round there were a couple of things that weren't in place but next year we can improve on that.

"There is a high standard of pubs around here - maybe the awards should reward those who have made improvements."

Although the council is promising a glittering award ceremony, it is also keen to promote a more serious side to the scheme.

With research pointing to a significant proportion of crime being directly linked to badly managed bars, the awards were originally designed to help cut alcohol related disorder and reward well-run pubs.

Entrants have been scrutinised over their efforts to prevent drug users or dealers from operating on the premises as well as their security measures and sensible drinking policy.

Camden's licensing chief Cllr Don Williams said: "The cream of the crop have now been chosen and entrants are eagerly awaiting the results.

"Most licensees are responsible and manage their premises very well and the awards want to reward those who set a good example.

"The council hopes other establishments will follow suit."

He added: "I'm sure there's some fairly well run pubs in the north of the borough, many of them have received licences from Camden Council, I only wish more of them would enter the contest."

In total 42 venues from across the borough entered the Best Bar None awards, which also includes categories of Best Bar and Best Club. And there were also surprises in these categories where two of Camden Town's most famous venues Barfly and Electric Ballroom failed to make the shortlist.

John Cryne is the Campaign for Real Ale's (Camra) representative in north London.

He said: "I'm pretty surprised by this. There are a number of excellent pubs in Hampstead and Highgate.

"The Duke of Hamilton and the Holly Bush are just two of the famous pubs in that area. And then there is the Flask in Highgate which is well known, partly for the great art work it has in there.

"We have just brought out a new guide for pubs around Camden and we found some great ones so it is very surprising that none have been selected."

ben.mcpartland@hamhigh.co.uk