WHEN Caroline Mackay took over The Ship Of Fools in 2008 even diehard regulars must have thought she could not have changed a pub that had a reputation as being "unsafe" to drink in.

But two-and-a-half years on and the bar manager has achieved a dream many would have thought was impossible.

Last week the venue, in London Road, West Croydon, was named the borough's top pub at the annual Best Bar None awards.

"It was quite a shock because of where the pub has come from and the area it is in, which isn't the greatest," Caroline told the Advertiser.