Kaiser Wilhelm was famous for his moustache. Prussian and exceedingly pointy, the Kaiser Bill's 'tache was widely copied and lasted as a legacy for the German First World War leader.

Unfortunately for Germany's last Emperor, other parts of his legacy came back to haunt him too. Like describing the members of the British Expeditionary Force that travelled to the battlefields of France as a "contemptible little army".

The brave Tommies in the BEF proudly took on the nickname "The Old Contemptibles". And now, more than 90 years later, a Birmingham pub that was a favourite watering hole of the veterans has been given an award for its historic refurbishment.

The Old Contemptibles, on Edmund Street, was named as the best-designed pub in the country at the Publican Awards, voted for by industry leaders.

The Mitchells & Butlers pub was lovingly restored last year as a tribute to the group of BEF veterans who drank there for decades after the end of the First World War.

The sign hanging outside the pub is a large-scale recreation of the Mons Star - the 1914 Star Campaign Medal presented to the members of the BEF who took part in the early stages of the Great War.

And inside the pub has murals of the Tommies in action painted on the walls, as well as a 'campaign room', with old First World War campaign maps set into the dark wood-panelled walls.

The First World War theme was set up in the pub as a tribute to the military campaigns the Old Contemptibles took part in.

And the refurbishment meant the pub beat off competition from hundreds of others across the country to win the 'best design' gong at the awards ceremony.

The judging panel described the pub's design as "heart warming and respectful to its traditions", adding: "This is a genuine attempt to capture what is often forgotten about Victorian pubs - their warmth and opulence."

There has been a bar on the site of the Old Contemptibles for more than 200 years. In the late 1700s it was the site of the Adelphi Wine Vaults, which were there for the best part of a century.

In 1880 the site was redeveloped by William Hale, and became the Albion Hotel. Its current name dates back to 1953, when it was renamed in honour of the achievements of a small group of men who met regularly at the pub.

All were members of the original "Old Contemptibles" who fought at Mons.

Last year the Old Contemptibles was carefully refurbished to restore and preserve its heritage. Local carpenters hand-made much of the panelling and woodwork, including the ornate carving featured throughout the pub, and light-hearted scenes taken from photographs of the trenches were painted in the alcoves behind the bar.

Mike Bramley, managing director of pubs and bars for Mitchells & Butlers, welcomed the award. He said: "We're proud to accept this award which is testament to the hard work and planning put in by all of the team involved in the restoration.

"The Old Contemptibles is a fine city centre pub which attracts a wide customer base and the pub's team is doing a great job since it reopened last year."