It was a Sunday evening and, for the first time, I found myself in the sleepy village of Selling where I spotted what looked like a very welcoming pub, the White Lion on The Street.

I was still congratulating myself on discovering this wonderful 18th-century pub in an out-of-the-way spot when I walked into a pretty much empty bar.

Fortunately, I was swiftly joined by a delightful young lady who immediately summoned a barman, called Blue, from the depths of the pub. They both explained closing time on a Sunday is 8pm and as it was getting on, I didn’t delay getting my order in.

This being a Shepherd Neame house I knew what to expect - or at least I thought I did.

However, there was an unfamiliar tap with a juicy IPA which has been brewed specially for the spring.

The weather, as yet, hasn’t demonstrated the season has changed but I decided a pint of spring’s Rumour Mill was in order and I wasn’t disappointed – I reckon it’s the best Shep’s pint I’ve ever had.

I thought I was the only punter in the pub but a pair of booming voices from the room on the right quickly dispelled this myth. Whether they were speaking Romanian or Bulgarian I’m not sure but they clearly thought 100 decibels was required to hold a conversation with their nearest and dearest in their homeland.

My new friend, the aforementioned young lady who’d finished her shift, explained they worked on a nearby farm and, as well as enjoying the hospitality and a beverage, also greatly enjoy the free Wi-Fi.

With stripped floorboards, hops strung along the beams and some great fireplaces there is plenty of traditional decoration at the White Lion.

However, there are also several more unusual items, one of which is the pair of hop picking stilts strung up to the ceiling in the bar on the left – you’ll find a number of great old photographs on the wall demonstrating how they were used.

Barman Blue was busy cleaning up at the end of his shift but when he got a moment he was just as ready to chat as Josie and it wasn’t long before I was fully clued up about the village, the trials and tribulations of the ‘other’ pub and why he likes The Kinks (playing on the sound system) and other vinyl.

Josie had more contemporary musical tastes, including Mr Styles, but both she and Blue were adamant many of the bands booked to provide live music at pub are well worth a look.

One coming up they were particularly keen to promote were Sur Les Docks, playing on Sunday, May 5 at 2pm, who apparently favour ‘nautical folk punk’.

I left Josie ordering a spiced rum and settling her tab to explore the rest of the pub and was really pleased I did as the covered outdoor area is excellent and there’s a lovely well-kept garden running off it too. I’ll definitely be paying another visit once spring has finally sprung.

I can further report this is very much a dog-friendly pub and the gents, which had several famous sayings framed on the walls, were spotlessly clean and fresh smelling.

A fantastic historic place, with great open fireplaces, a beautiful garden and hops hanging from the beams, which loves to host live music and serves food seven days a week – is this the perfect village pub?

The fact is, it might just be, but great as this list is, this is not the major reason for its success. As we all know, it’s the people behind the bar which make the place what it is.

Josie and Blue, both aged only 22, were fantastic hosts with exactly the right attitude and I’ve seldom met better marketers for a business. They’ve worked here for three years and 18 months respectively and, unusually for people their age, speak about their jobs with real passion.

We were still chatting away when Dave the landlord, who’s been in charge for seven years, came in and expressed surprise the pub wasn’t already locked up tight!

I said it was my fault for keeping Blue and Josie talking but also felt it was only fair to make a hasty departure – if I’d had a little more time I would have waxed lyrical to Dave about the great, young staff he is lucky enough to have working for him.

They reckon he selects young people who are all just a little ‘weird’ but I’m convinced there’s more to it than this and he’s got his recruiting process spot on.

THE WHITE LION, THE STREET, SELLING, FAVERSHAM ME13 9RQ

Decor: I loved the place the second I walked in – it’s down-to-earth and welcoming but also packed with interesting items. Added to which, the impressive garden looked perfect for when the sun finally does decide to show up. *****

Drink: It was the usual line-up of Shepherd Neame staples apart, that is, from the seasonal offering of Rumour Mill – this 4.3%, perfectly kept, fruity IPA could only receive a positive score. ****

Price: The Rumour Mill was the wrong side of a five at £5.30, but it’s such a great hoppy IPA I’d happily pay it again. If you prefer to go the lager route then a Spitfire Lager will set you back £4.80. ****

Staff: One was working, one was enjoying a drink after her shift, but together they made the perfect hosting pair. Efficient, knowledgeable and fun to meet - I haven’t encountered better young bar staff in an awfully long time. *****

Music: As well as their 2pm gig on Sunday, May 5 at the White Lion, Sur Les Docks are in Rochester’s Rising Sun pub that same weekend - on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 - as part of the Sweeps Festival celebrations. They also play Gillingham’s Ship Inn at 2pm on the Saturday.

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