A BOSCOMBE bar has been named the best in the country.

Chaplins won the ‘Best Bar None’ award and owner Harry Seccombe picked up the prize at the House of Lords.

His quirky wine bar – and the associated Cellar Bar underneath – has live music seven days a week, local art, and a unique, light-strewn garden.

Harry, 41, from Southbourne, told the Echo: “I was astounded when they said our name – very happy and proud.”

Best Bar None Awards are held around the country in a Home Office backed initiative to promote responsible ownership.

Six bars from around the country competed for the overall prize but Harry and manager Nick Humphrey took the honours.

The judges noted Chaplins, on Christchurch Road, is in a deprived area but it is also makes its customers feel safe.

Best Bar None chairman Philip Kolvin said: “The managers have found a little haven where local people can come and enjoy something unique.”

Chaplains buys its food and meat locally and is decorated with recycled furniture. It hosts fundraising nights for charities like Oxfam and has backed the grassroots campaign to save the Bournemouth Centre for Community Arts.

Mr Seccombe, who said the award was also a huge success for former manager Nola Grennell, took over five years ago.

During 2011, pubs were closing at the rate of 15 a week, but Chaplin’s approach is generating a profit.

He said: “I think we are a community pub in the truest sense of the word. We have a great space for people to come and meet each other and feel safe.”

Jon Shipp, Bournemouth’s Nighttime Economy Manager, said: “We’re delighted than an independent business from Bournemouth has won a national accolade.”