The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has written to all UK MPs pointing out the problems facing the industry. The letter says the volume of beer sold through pubs is now the lowest since the Great Depression and overall beer sales - including off-trade - are at their lowest since 1969.

Overall beer sales are down by 49% since their peak in 1979 and pubs are selling 14 million fewer pints per day.

The BBPA says beer duty has increased by 27% since 1997, while the duty on spirits had only gone up by 3% and wine duty has risen by 16%.

A BBPA spokesman said:

"British brewers and beer are of world renown. But our efforts to remain competitive are being undermined by a tax policy that is eroding the foundations of our business.

"We need a tax freeze and that is what we are calling on the Chancellor to deliver."