BOLTON West MP Chris Green is backing the 'Long Live the Local Campaign' to stop further increases in beer tax.

He has signed a petition of more than 150,000 names calling fora cut in the duty on ale this year and no further rises in the future,

The signatories include 160 from Bolton West and Atherton.

Mr Green said: “Pubs are at the heart of communities across Bolton West and Atherton and also provide over 1,000 local jobs.

"With three British pubs closing their doors for good every day the Government should consider a cut to beer tax.

" With £1 in every £3 pounds spent in UK pubs going to the taxman, British drinkers now pay 40 per cent of all beer tax across the EU, but drink only 12 per cent of the beer.

“I’m supporting the Long Live the Local campaign and calling on the Chancellor to cut beer tax at this year’s Budget to support pubs in our local communities.”

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “Beer duty has increased by 60per cent over the last 17 years and now the UK has one of the highest rates of tax in Europe. When over two thirds of all alcoholic drinks purchased in the pub are beers, a cut in beer tax would go a long way to protecting pubs across Bolton West.

“We are very grateful to Chris Green for his support for the Long Live the Local campaign."