WROUGHTON pub owners Caroline and Kevin MacDivitt have drawn a line under the toughest year of their lives with a real ale award.

Caroline, 49, and Kevin, 58, were cycling near Royal Wootton Bassett on September 10 last year when they were both hit by a van at 50mph.

The pair were travelling along the A3102 near the Sally Pussey Inn when Kevin took the brunt of the collision before the van went on to hit Caroline.

The father-of-four broke his back, collarbone, a bone in his neck and twisted his ankle.

He was also diagnosed with blood on the brain and suffered a cut to his head so deep, it sliced his scalp down to the skull.

Caroline left hospital within two days after suffering a broken back, eye socket and cheekbone.

Eight months after the incident the couple, who run the Carter’s Rest, say their injuries are now healing.

But it has not been an easy road to being named the Campaign For Real Ale’s Pub Of The Year.

It was voted for by members of CAMRA’s Swindon & North Wiltshire branch for the quality of its beer across 12 pumps.

“We are very, very thrilled. We had a bad year last year with the accident and it was great to win it after missing out last year,” said Kevin.

“It was a very difficult year. We had a couple of months away from the pub, but we got through, in part, thanks to our reliable staff.

“Thank you very much to those who helped us and the staff who helped us. We really appreciate it. Please continue to come to the pub.

“It’s been very difficult to get back because we had broken bones. We have had treatment and been travelling to Bristol for physio, X-rays and doctors’ appointments.

“It’s been difficult to keep the pub running. We needed to stay hands-on as much as possible. We just got on with it. There was nothing special involved, just determination.

“I got very short-tempered. Whether it was the accident or the bang on the head, I became very short-tempered and a bit snappy.

“But I got through it. There did a come a point where we just wanted to walk away, but we stayed here and persevered.”

The MacDivitts now suffer only with muscular pain which should subside over time.

The certificate, which will hang in the pub, is just reward for a couple who could have easily walked away from the business altogether at their lowest ebb.