Three local watering holes have been named among the top 50 gastropubs in the UK, according to a new poll.

The Red Lion and Sun, in Highgate Village, The Bull and Last, in Dartmouth Park and The Truscott Arms, in Maida Vale rank among 2016’s best pubs, it was announced at the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs Awards.

The Red Lion and Sun, in North Road, ranks the highest at number 20, but is only one ahead of 21st-ranked The Bull and Last, in Highgate Road, on the edge of Hampstead Heath.

The Truscott Arms, in Shirland Road, just makes the list at number 47, it was announced at the awards ceremony on Monday.

Owner of The Red Lion and Sun, Heath Ball, said: “In my opinion, pubs never belong to the owner, they are the property of our customers.

“To that end, we are a business that’s very much about serving our community, much like the old style Italian Trattoria in spirit,” he added. “To be included in the Top 50 list and amongst such revered names, is very humbling.”

The pubs were ranked by the number of votes cast by hundreds of industry experts, including top chefs and food writers. The award announcement follows the revelation last week that a buyer has been found for the JD Wetherspoon-owned The Gatehouse pub in North Road, Highgate Village.

It has been bought by gastropub company Urban Pubs and Bars, which also runs the Lord Wargrave, in Marylebone. It is due to change hands on February 22 and is likely to be closed for three weeks while a refurbishment is carried out.