TWO York pubs are toasting their success at reaching the final of a national competition.

The Maltings, Tanners Moat, and the Blue Bell, Fossgate, have fought off competition from scores of pubs across Britain to make it to the London final.

The Morning Advertiser Pub Industry Awards, sponsored by the weekly newspaper of the licensed trade, are fiercely contested.

It is the fourth time the Maltings has got this far in the Cask Ale Pub Of The Year section. Run by Maxine Collinge and her husband, Shaun, the pub took the title in 1998 and 2000.

Shaun said: "We are going for a Brazil. If we get a hat-trick of wins, we want to keep the trophy.

"Last year we didn't enter. This year we wanted to test ourselves against the trade again.

"It's great when people come in and enjoy the beers, but this is a judgement by those who really know the trade inside out."

Jim and Sue Hardie took over the Blue Bell two years ago. Last year the tiny pub, with just 36 square metres of floorspace, raised £9,000 for charity.

That is why it is vying for the title Fundraising Pub Of The Year.

"If we win, the award won't be for us, but for all the people who come in and donate money," Jim said. "We only arrange the events."

These have included a 1940s night, a baby beer festival during which Fossgate was closed, and a London-York bike ride.

The awards will be announced at a ceremony at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London, on January 29.

Updated: 11:53 Saturday, January 11, 2003