A High Wycombe pub has been crowned as South East's most dog-friendly pub.

The Spindle and Thread was named the best in the region by Rover, an online marketplace for pet care, and its expert tavern testers.

The pub was recognised for abundance of treats and a special doggy brunch menu.

The accolade comes amid new research by Rover, which shows that more than half of the population wish all pubs were dog friendly. The study also found that 59 per cent of people prefer the company of dogs to children when enjoying their local.

The Spindle and Thread was one of more than 110 pubs across the country that were inspected by the researchers as part of the dog-friendly pub awards.

Praised for its welcoming atmosphere, the pub allows dogs to roam freely throughout the premises, including the beer garden and by the fireplace.

The pub is said to be 'raising the bar-k' for dog-friendly hospitality in the UK, making it one of the nation's top destinations for dogs and their owners.

Rover's tavern testers evaluated pubs based on several factors, including booking systems, dog accessibility, staff communication, pet safety, dog behaviour policies, and overall experience.

The awards celebrate establishments that go above and beyond to create a welcoming and homely environment for dogs.

The research by Rover also revealed that dogs are becoming an essential part of pub culture, with 43 per cent of people believing dogs are integral to the pub experience.

A significant 62 per cent of the nation wish all pubs were dog-friendly, while 31 per cent advocate for designated areas for children, allowing dogs to roam freely in other parts of the pub.

Dogs are also seen as great icebreakers, with 71 per cent of people believing they help start conversations. According to Rover, 41 per cent of dog owners bring their pets along on pub dates, and more than a quarter of pub-goers have met their partners through their dogs.

Adem Fehmi, a canine behaviourist at Rover, said: "Our 11 tavern-testing pet owners have been busy surveying pubs across the nation to find the most dog-friendly pubs."

He also offered advice for pet owners taking their dogs to the pub for the first time. Mr Fehmi suggested creating a cosy setup at home to help dogs get used to the pub environment, rewarding calm behaviour with treats and praise, and bringing comfort items like a portable bed or mat to the pub.

The Spindle and Thread was one of 11 regional winners, with other titles going to:

The Lion at Basford in the East Midlands

West End Bar in Scotland

The Punch House in Wales

The Chequers in the East of England.

The British Oak in the West Midlands

The Dog and Gun in Yorkshire

The Keel Row in the North East

The Hope and Anchor in the South West

The Maltings in the North West

Lord Palmerston in London

Founded in 2011, Rover operates in ten countries and is the world's largest online marketplace for pet care.

The company connects dog and cat owners with pet care services, including pet sitting, dog walking, in-home boarding, drop-in visits, and doggy daycare.

More information on the winning pubs can be found on Rover's website.