A pub is one step closer to being recreated within stumbling distance of Rio de Janeiro’s beautiful beaches, as part of a World Cup 2014 contest.

The Old Star has made the top five pubs still in the running of the Rio McCoy’s Local competition, after beating more than 2,000 nominated boozers.

The Swanlow Lane watering hole will go up against The Hollow Bottom in Cheltenham, The Black Bull Inn in Immingham, The Corner House in Lurgan and The Woodpecker in Waterlooville, with the winner announced in early April.

The Old Star pub on Swanlow Lane, Winsford
The Old Star pub on Swanlow Lane, Winsford

Landlord Ernie Welch said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to bits and so proud to have made the top five of the Rio McCoy’s Local competition and can’t wait to hear if we have won. “Taking The Old Star to Rio would be an amazing experience and we’d love to introduce the locals to our good old fashioned British hospitality.

“We’ve already got loads of events planned in for the summer, including a Brazilian-themed celebration in the marquee at the back of the pub involving all our locals with a huge 12ft screen, a barbecue and lots of great entertainment.”

The landlord of the winning pub, the person who nominated it, a voter and seven mates will be whisked off to Brazil in June for the opening ceremony and to enjoy the highs and lows of the beautiful game’s ultimate tournament in the environs – complete with all the fixtures and fittings – of their original beloved local.

Comedian Al Murray, best known for his Pub Landlord character, is one of the judges who holds the keys to The Old Star’s chance of a foreign foray.

He said: “The great British pub is a national institution and the final five in the competition are all great examples of brilliant British boozers, any one of them would be the perfect pub for Brits in Brazil.

“McCoy’s is doing Brazil a real favour by taking over a proper pub to Rio, they may have the sunshine, sand and samba but they don’t have a really pukka pub, until now.

“Judging will be tough but I’m sure the winner will be a shining example of everything good about Britain – its pubs!”