Ample parking meant we were able to avoid the weather, and drive to the conveniently located pub near Worksop market.

I was pleased with my reasonably priced mozzarella, tomato and ham baguette (£3.95).

The service was fairly slow but for under £6, including a bottle of Fanta, the price was right.

The former Wetherspoons bar seems to have taken the best of the chain, but raised the prices and standard of food to boot.

The newly refurbished venue offers a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere, which was also clean and bright.

Even the cheesy pop album from the early 90s couldn’t spoil my baguette – which came with proper ham – and I noted from the bar’s more comprehensive blackboard that the meat is all sourced locally from Arrow Farm.

And what a difference it made, I would even overlook the slightly limp and dry lettuce side-salad, and return to the place and order the same again.

The grated mozzarella was fresh and complemented the beef tomatoes nicely.

I was wholly impressed with my meal, and although I didn’t partake of the chips, they looked hearty and homemade, and the battered cod also looked inviting.

Even my colleague Graham, who was disappointed to hear there was no chicken for a club sandwich, or sirloin steak for his sandwich, said he was pleased with his third choice of ham, cheese and chutney baguette.

The beef burger and chips also got a double thumbs up from Gareth, our Dinnington reporter.

Overall, the menu was fairly extensive and offered all the regulars you would expect at a good bar, including an impressive range of salads – ranging from £6.55 to £7.25.

However, not everyone was as impressed as I. One vegetarian who walks among us was lucky enough to find a piece of ham in her sandwich (much to my amusement). It was a prime opportunity for Arrow Farm to convert a veggie over to the meaty darkside, but sadly she did not see it this way.

Similarly, a reporter who opted for the jacket potato with cheese was less than impressed with the spud presented to her, branding it too small, too cold, and adding: ‘I only have rosemary with my lamb.”

But I think she was won over by her love for the Back Street Boys that was playing in the background.

The White Lion did lose points on service when one colleague – who arrived late – was kept waiting for a lengthy period before her order was taken, and ended up eating in rotation with the rest of us.

I can’t ignore the complaints of my dining companions in awarding stars, so I will give The White Lion a firm three.

But if service was improved and Arrow Farm was plundered for more meat, I’m confident the final two stars would be within easy reach.

by Debbie Lockett

Star rating HHH