Callum’s Bar, in the town’s High Street, was named the Campaign for Real Ale’s Renfrewshire Pub of the Year.

The pub has been open in the town since the early 1940s and was taken over by owners Brian and Louise Ploomer five years ago.

This is the local drinking spot’s second award after it scooped Gold in the Best Bar None scheme in 2013.

The scheme rewards safe and well-managed licensed venues with the issue of a certificate and plaque to show high standards and professionalism when selling drink.

Manager Robert Stewart, 42, from Johnstone, said: “It shows a standard of always trying to make the pub better.

“We all worked hard and have tried to make improvements to the pub and it’s great to be recognised.

“We also got a certificate of excellence on Trip Advisor recently which was new for us and shows how well the pub is doing.

“We’re now looking to get other awards and get more recognition for the pub, perhaps on a national level, in future.” Chef Jamie Lapsley believes the pub’s private Cobbler Suite is one of the key attractions to the pub.

Nicknamed ‘The Wee Room,’ it holds small private dinners, parties or meetings for up to 20 people during daytime or evening.

And he also told how a few well-known celebrity faces have popped in for a pint over the years, but maintained their privacy in the suite.

“We don’t give any names out as their privacy is more important to us, we make sure we look after them and they don’t get bothered in the wee room,” Jamie said.

“But we have been visited by a few well-known faces, it’s top secret.” Barmaid Liz Cowan is the longest serving staff member of Callum’s Bar and has worked there for almost 30 years.

Liz, from Howwood, told The Gazette: “I think the reason I’ve been here so long is simply because I enjoy it.

“We get such a good laugh and I’ve made so many great friends over the years.

“It’s a good pub and you never get any bother from anyone.

“A lot of women come in here and have a drink themselves, which you don’t often get in pubs.

“It’s a bit of an institution in the town.”